Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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The Spider's Web--A Tale. I got into my car, which I had not used for a while. I noticed a spider's nest in the passenger space. Feeling somewhat benevolent, I decided Not to kill the spider, but rather wrap it in its web And toss the web and spider out into the garden. Thinking about this for a moment thereafter, I wondered whether or not the spider could untangle itself. I thought, in haste mixed with caring, had I truly Accomplished enough to interject and then solve this situation? Did I wish to free the spider (altruism) Or did I just want it out of the car (selfishness)? To have retrieved a jar and captured the spider 'cleanly' Would have been the best, But that would have taken too much time (selfishness). Did I really wish to 'save' the spider or just get it out of the car? These are the actions we take--big or small-- Which make us confront what is actually 'true,' Or do we mouth platitudes 'of good' and never accomplish, In reality, what we all should be following? That extra effort is the 'Truth' we all should examine And not merely be mesmerized by pseudo goodness. Frank Maurer 9 August 2026 1445 Hours.