Trembling limbs

spider fear

Thin, gentle legs slide
         Down so softly,
                   Ever-careful.
                   Watchful eyes speculate
         The dangers surrounding
My dark body.
I cower in dark corners,
         While humans concoct stories
                   Of intended fear.
                   I do not lurk
         But tremble in fear,
In trepidation.
My restless mind wanders,
         Imagining a painful fate,
                   An impending death.
                   I live in constant worry,
         Fretting over every movement,
Fear of being flattened.
Some shoe, perhaps,
         Or a rolled-up newspaper,
                   A desperate hand wields.
                   If only they knew my fear,
         I wish not to harm, to frighten
Only to live my quiet existence.
We feel the same fear,
         Humans and my kind,
                   Our limbs aquiver.
                   Yet, I do not act on mine.
         No malicious intent dwell
In my eight trembling limbs.