(no subject)

[silverflurry.livejournal.com]

Consciousness: An Allegory

The wolf spider lies paralyzed, and no one knows
how conscious in his higher brain,
because a blue-black spider wasp has stung
the lower ganglion that works his legs.

The wasp positions him, and turns to check
her burrow before hauling him inside,
so that her young, when hatched,
can feed on him alive, less vital
organs first, to keep him fresh.

Now, should a scientist just slightly
shift this spider out of place,
the wasp when she returns
will reposition him
and check the burrow yet again;

and if the scientist again disturbs the prey,
which may for all we know still be alert,
the sequence of behaviors will repeat — again,
and yet again, the wasp oblivious,
it seems, till chemicals released

inside the brain by hunger, or fatigue,
or "recognition," trigger what they call
an understanding in the so-called scientist,
permitting him to stop.

Brooks Haxton
Shenandoah
Volume 52, Number 4
Winter 2002