' Spiderweb ' Review and Analysis

Spiderweb

The poem 'Spiderweb', found in Kay Ryans excellent compilation of poems collected by her in her time as the poet laureate is a marvelous representation of the book of poems as a whole and really defines her style. Being one of the shorter poems in the book, you'd expect the poem to be simple and it is. The poem consists of three sentences only, and describe the appearance and texture of a spiderweb. However, that in its self makes the poem one of the best in the entire book in my opinion, as it really captures your attention.

The opening couple of words don't beat around the bush, "From other angles the fibers look fragile, but not from the spiders". Initially Ryan introduces the "from other angles" which immediately makes it known that the opening few words isn't from the viewpoint of a spider, more of an outsider looking in. The fibers are described as fragile from OUR view, but not from the spiders. This could be seen as a metaphor for differing viewpoints; the spider thinks the spiderweb is an amazing, safe home, whereas us as humans just see it as an annoyance and may destroy it if we see it. The next line describes the spider "always hauling coarse ropes, hitching lines to the best posts possible". This again further exemplifies the spiders opinion of the web, with hauling being a word associated with hardship when pulling something which further highlights the point that a spiderweb is a difficult, strong thing for the spider.

"Its heavy work everyplace, fighting sag, winching up give." is the next line which further explains the spiders difficult work in constructing a spiders web and attaching all the web in the right places. Being described as heavy work makes the web sound stronger than it is, its almost as if its a metal web the way the descriptions are being used.

The final line is the pinnacle of the comparison between humans and spiders "It isn't ever delicate to live". If a person was asked to describe a spiders web, one word that crops up might be delicate. However, Ryan here says it "isn't ever delicate to live" which directly contrasts with our viewpoint of a spiders web, and confirms that the poem is sympathetic towards the spider. For us, we can simply swat away a spiders web despite all the hard labor they have taken part in in order to construct themselves a home. 

The poem is a great poem and really helps us appreciate what we have got. Spiders, a living creature, spend time upon time constructing these delicate, intricate homes made of web whereas we can simply touch them and watch them crumble. The overall message of the poem is a strong one; life is delicate.