The Spider Over the Sink

A thread runs from the tap
into the cupboard's shadow.
The bowl beneath it holds
last night's onion skins.

Turn the tap and the thread tightens.
A small body lifts,
legs working at the empty air.
Water darkens the onion skins.

A hand catches the thread
and lifts it over the bowl.
At once another strand pulls taut
against the draining board;
a fly, wrapped to the wings,
jerks with the movement.

The hand stops.
One finger holds the spider up,
another rests beside the fly.
Water swells against the plug.

The free hand turns off the tap.
The wet thread keeps shaking.