Witness

by Steve Trenam

I flip the seat up
and sit down.
Between my bare feet,
a small dot moves. It looks confused.

It is black with a red abdomen
and has eight out of sync legs,
like they’ve never walked before.

A few propel her forward,
others quaver her in a circle.
And although her feet
are on the floor,
she resembles a turtle
on its back.

I blow on her,
but she doesn’t leap
or scurry as startled
spiders generally do.

I watch for a while.
Her shuddering subsides,
she folds her legs under her,
and goes limp to one side.

It has been a long time
since I’ve watched something die.
I wonder if I will be as
confused and directionless,
limp legs curled under.

And will anyone witness my passing?