Saturday, April 26, 2008

On the Tarantula



 
 
My name means
Wolf spider
But I’m not
A
Big biter.
My body’s
Quite hirsute
In or out
Of a suit.
Though I emit silk
I don’t secrete milk.
 
I’ve got two eyes
But I don’t use them as much
As I do my sense of touch.
My exoskeleton does
some molting
And this can look a little
revolting.
 
If I’m a male
I’m not as large
As a female.
I like to eat insects
But I’ll eat a lizard or a mouse
When each one least expects
It.

1561, "wolf spider," (Lycos tarantula), from M.L. tarantula, from It. tarantola, from Taranto "Taranto," seaport city in southern Italy in the region where the spiders are frequently found, from L. Tarentum, from Gk. Taras (gen. Tarantos). Its bite is only slightly poisonous. Popularly applied to other great hairy spiders, especially the genus Mygale, native to the warmer regions of the Americas (first so called in 1794).
Tarantulas may live for years--most species taking 2 to 5 years to reach adulthood, but some species may take up to 10 years to reach full maturity. Upon reaching adulthood, males typically have but a 1 to 1.5 year period left to live and will immediately go in search of a female with which to mate. It is rare that upon reaching adulthood the male tarantula will molt again. The oldest spider, according to Guinness World Records, lived to be 49 years old.
Females will continue to molt after reaching maturity. Female specimens have been known to reach 30 to 40 years of age, and have survived on water alone for up to 2.5 years.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

SPiNNiNg BLuE jEwEL HAIKU


WaTeRy MaRbLe
HoMe AnD sPaCeShiP oF mAnKiNd
sPiNNiNg BLuE jEwEL

Sunday, April 20, 2008

On the Bat






The Leathery
BatIsAn Aerial RatWith a RadarGunThat can find the SunIn Rain or ShineDay or Evening.
His sense ofSightDoes not needLight.
Like Fluttering Leaves on
The night

Air
The Flying Bat doesn't
Have to

Stare.
This Acrobat of theAirHas very littleHair
And even in a
CaveHe doesn't need toShave.

Friday, April 18, 2008

rOcKy DoMiCiLe HAIKU


sUnNy MiNaReT
aBoVe PeRpEtUaL sEa WaVeS
rOcKy DoMiCiLe

Thursday, April 17, 2008

LiFe'S a BiG sUrPriSe HAIKU


ThOsE aReN't MaRsHmALLoWs
AnD tHe FoReCaSt SaiD cLeAr sKiEs...
LiFe'S a BiG sUrPriSe!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

rAiNbOw iN tHe SkY HAIKU


MeSsEnGeR fRoM gOdS
SeVeN cOLoRs FoR tHe EyE
rAiNbOw iN tHe SkY

Friday, April 11, 2008

On the Scallop









The many-eyed scallop
Can easily gallop
Away
From
Its prey
And
Live to see
Another

Day

Thursday, April 10, 2008

On the Snail





A snail would get quite
Pale
If it sat next to a
Whale.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

MASTICATORS

The hairy

Tarantula

Chewed on his

Enchilada.



A

Mega bat

Chewed on his

Red Planet.



A

Polar bear

Chewed on his

Prickly pear.



An Army ant

Chewed on his

Tomato plant.



The

Chihuahua

Chewed on his

Papaya.



A

Butterfly

Chewed on his

Key Lime pie.



A little

Chipmunk

Chewed on his

Big Hunk.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

ON KANGAROOS

Kangaroos
Don't wear shoes
But when boxing (or not)
They hop around a lot
With or Without a kid little
Inside their frontal-middle.