In Mosul, the men peruse the cases
hunting for something big enough
to make an impact on social media,
dragging their hammers, cameras,
knuckles along the porcelain floor
one points at a fat alabaster
a giant petrified spider
"we'll start with this one."
Shouting blessings
they raise their hammers
they begin rolling,
reeling the rod of their arms
and pummel,
they reel the rod
of their arms
and pummel
the room fills with dust
uploaded and watched by countless wide
eyes open across the globe.
Armchair archaeologists begin
piecing together the identity
of this time-worn statue
the long pincers, several legs
More appendages, the winking eye
Like some spider and it’s shadow
Caught in the mind, National Geographic
Here we come;
“Thanks” bows red spider
"The more you destroy me
The closer I get"
