Do spiders think? or simply learn br without a thought (well, lucky them) br by observation, as great scientists? br Does Nature do it all without a 'thought', br the spider just some robot, programmed thus? br br The spider which the other day br built daring, acrobatic, gossamer bridge br across the path a guy-lined full six feet br so that to reach the gate, I had to genuflect br as if in some most holy church's aisle, br br That bridge of San Luis Rey, already doomed br to break - the postman, paper boy, the milk - br I watched while seated in the sun for hours; br br and as I watched, grew humbler by the minute; br myself the smaller in respect, the spider greater; br my lunch was cooking; the spider awaited (hers?) : br br and we grew closer, in some unknown place in mind. br br Today, a small, great miracle br of nature - who may be br beyond miracles; or yet bound in a web of law: br br Neatly - thoughtfully? - br the web was now aligned br along the hedge of neighbours and ourselves. br br And I was humbled by knowing nothing br worth a spider's web.