Silica sparkles as the clouds part,
full Moon light illuminates the barrenness,
Mesquite leaf shadows like feathers,
tickle the prickly pears underneath.

In the darkness I feel eyes,
staring and studying me,
I click on the flashlight light,
nothing, no one at eye level.

I shine the beam around,
on the ground, thousands of sparkles,
reflect in the projected light,
frost, dew, jewels, I do not know.

To my knees I go,
studying the shimmering specks,
I suddenly realize why I felt watched,
spiders, hundreds of tiny spiders.

Their eyes like miniature mirrors,
staring at me, and sending my light,
back in my direction
signaling me their presence.

An army marches,
through fallen leaves,
ready for battle for food,
but I am not their prey.