Such a tragedy,

spider with a missing leg,

scaling walls army ants

have fallen from,

to say nothing

of hubristic beetles,

hardened shells

crashing to the floor.

Yet here,

a mere arachnid,

tenacious in its climb,

 many-eyed, wounded.

Still trying to pass

as normal.

Katherine Gotthardt, M.Ed. has been writing, editing and teaching for more than 20 years and marketing professionally for more than 15. With ten books to her name, one an Amazon bestselling new release and another a Nonfiction Writers Association Silver Award winner, she pens poetry, children’s books and prose from her home in Northern Virginia. In her day job, she serves as a marketing writer and publication specialist for a large government contracting firm that also frequently sponsors her creative endeavors. She uses proceeds from book sales to benefit community give-back initiatives and can often be found volunteering and supporting other writers in her spare time. Learn more at www.katherinegotthardt.com.