The Spider, and the Web by Kelley White

Another prison mark, like the teardrop
and the clock, it can weave over elbow,
knee, nape of neck, belly, back. It might be
nothing more than graphic, part of a sleeve,
or vest, but it may mean prison—see
that boy lifting his baby to his shoulder,
that man pulling a woman to his side
by her hair. So tell me, where
is the spider. All, she’s a female.
She’s a black widow, her hourglass
emptying fast through her narrow waist;
watch out for her sweet lethal kiss.



Pediatrician Kelley White has worked in inner city Philadelphia and rural New Hampshire. Her poems have appeared in Exquisite Corpse, Rattle and JAMA. Her most recent collection is NO. HOPE STREET (Kelsay Books). She received a 2008 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts grant.