: ALLOWABLES What I think, as I watch it die painfully slow under my feet; crushed legs and open stomach, small as a spider can be, because it couldn't fight back. Because it didn't run quick enough to disappear under a rock or into some corner I don't think I'm allowed To kill something Because I can
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Allowables by Nikki Giovanni I killed a spider Not a murderous brown recluse Nor even a black widow And if the truth were told this Was only a small Sort of papery spider Who should have run When I picked up the book But she didn't And she scared me And I smashed her I don't think I'm allowed To kill something Because I am Frightened *Leaving this for anyone who wants to read the original poem