Jason Barry

In the schoolyard
a girl cups a
spider
in her palm
the birthday gift
from a friend
raising it toward her
cheek
as if preparing for a kiss
she works to contain
the giggles
when a bell
sounds near
as though it were
a shriek  
(an alarm)
she drops the
spider
on her  
shoulder
like a penny    
(or a parrot)
and I watch as it
glides along
her neck    
chin  
the lower lip
a breath
and it will dance
through the
hibiscus
delicate symphony
eight feathery
legs  
like magic
in the grasses