Eye of the Needle

By Gabby Bloyd

Thread the needle, string through eye;

Pull it taut and hide your pride.

The goddess hears you, young, fair weaver.

Challenge her and meet her cleaver.

Your skill is matched by only Athena,

But you tell the truth of godly demeanor.

Enraged, she tears your tapestry to bits

And shames you for your ruthless wits.

You feel the weight of ruination,

So hang yourself in desperation.

Athena experiences rare remorse

And reaches for your heatless corpse.

She curses you to weave forever;

An eight-legged monster to hang wherever.

A tiny spider, feared and hated,

Forced to live and recreate.

Arachne, once a bright young lady,

Now to crawl and weave for safety.

Thread the needle, string through eye;

Pull it taut and say goodbye. 

By Gabby Bloyd