The Dark Side
It’s a spider-eat-fly-world; that’s what the photograph above depicts. This photograph, which I took earlier this evening, pretty much sums up how I sometimes feel about the world. The horrific spider with its sharp claws enjoys its lunch, while the helpless fly, once free, flying high, faces the traumatic “mummification” event his ancestors did not prepare him for with the miracles of evolution. But I can almost hear those who believe this is just the way life is- survival of the fittest- the strong prevail over the weak. It’s the way it has been for centuries, from bacteria we cannot see, to the greatness of nature. But should it be this way with humans, who have been given the gift of the mind. When I turn on the television to watch the news, I pretty much feel like I’m looking at this photograph. It symbolises a lot to me. Who knew that a spider, not bigger than a pin, would give me a reason to contemplate over the world and its many worrying issues? I’m sure the spider doesn’t have a clue, it’s busy enjoying its gourmet meal.
great photo
Brian Alexander
May 7, 2008 at 1:39 am
wow…wonderfull capture…
مسلمةmsG'aribaمسلمة
May 7, 2008 at 2:37 am
Man ! Just when I ate dinner !
Nature is indeed more powerful. Even when man is able to mountain in a day, Nature is able to undo his actions and remove all traces of man even if the process is painfully slower.
Have a look at the following documentries for the weekend
“LIfe After People” (Archive on Google Video)
and “The Future is wild” (Elisode Trailers)
Jaffer
May 7, 2008 at 4:18 am
Thank you Brian
Thank you Muslima
Sorry Jaffer! It is very powerful indeed. Thanks for the links!
Unique Muslimah
May 7, 2008 at 5:45 pm
That picture is great! I love the light that is emitting from the spider. Masha’Allah Unique, like my friend once said to me, “You go so deep!” I adore how you relate little things like this to the world and stuff. Fantastic, keep it up, insha’Allah!
Tuba
May 7, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Thank you so much Tuba! Your kind words just encouraged me so much
Unique Muslimah
May 7, 2008 at 6:47 pm
well a spider’s gotta eat…so do humans
A.Ho
May 7, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Marvelous picture. I see you are having a lot of fun with a macro lens.
Oh Unique, I don’t watch the news aymore… It makes me depressed…
I often hang my head and weep for the way humans treat eachother but then again I try to infuse my surroundings with positive things and positive actions.
We are able to hate and destroy mercilessly but in the same intensity, if not more passionately, we also able to love and to create.
It’s wonderful how depictions of nature can evoke deep thoughts. Your picture conveys the darkside , yet the spider and it’s victim are illuminated against a black backdrop. Love the contrast.
gettingpurlywithit
May 7, 2008 at 11:48 pm
A.ho, thanks for your comment
Gettingpurly, thank you! I really love your analysis of the picture, jazak Allah kheir! It is wonderful indeed…I hope to continue this reflection cycle …
Unique Muslimah
May 8, 2008 at 12:04 am
Brilliant shot!
'liya
May 8, 2008 at 12:26 am
Thank you Liya! I think viewers with spider phobia will be staying well away from my blog
Unique Muslimah
May 8, 2008 at 12:28 am
“When I turn on the television to watch the news, I pretty much feel like I’m looking at this photograph. It symbolises a lot to me.”
Wow, that’s so powerful. I really feel the same way. The violence is one thing, but then there is the racism, prejudice, and ignorance which only fuels more violence and hatred. I wonder sometimes if we’ll ever restore sanity and consciousness in this world.
Great capture.
Broken Mystic
May 8, 2008 at 1:55 am
[...] tagging Mariya, Masooma, Umm Layla, Ali Imran, A Follower, Pam the midwife, Azadaar, Unique Muslimah, Organic Muslimah, and Wayfarer Wow 10 is alot of folks to tag. lol Let’s see how it [...]
I hope… « So Crunchy
May 8, 2008 at 6:16 am
Eww! I couldnt’ read that post because I’m too afraid/scared/grossed out by spiders. lol I’m sucha baby but them things scare me way too much!!!
I did happen to tag you over on my blog though.
What are you hoping for sis?
http://socrunchy.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/i-hope/
ummzahra
May 8, 2008 at 6:24 am
Broken Mystic, it’s so true, I’m kind of relieved that I’m not alone in my thoughts…Thank you bro.
Thanks for the tag ummzahra! I know what you mean, I have a small phobia for all things that creep/crawl, including spiders, but I couldn’t resist capturing this natural phenomena.
Unique Muslimah
May 8, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Hehe .. well I do have a spider phobia but I can’t help but appreciate a gorgeous shot – as long as the bug/animal stays on my screen
'liya
May 9, 2008 at 12:06 am
My feelings exactly liya, if it stays on the screen/camera, I’m okay! Though I do get pretty freaked out while taking the photo in fear of the spider jumping on me or something.
I watched a spider eat a fly today. It was actually quite amazing.
Unique Muslimah
May 9, 2008 at 12:28 am
I can understand spiders somehow. Coexistence. But i can never tolerate cockroach. Urgh..
Believe me Unique, cockroachs are more similar to dark side of life.
Shahrzad
May 9, 2008 at 3:00 am
“Good Morning ”
Author Unknown
Every morning in Africa,
A gazelle wakes up.
It knows that it must run faster
Than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up.
It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle
Or it will starve to death.
It doesn’t matter
Whether you are
A lion or a gazelle…
When the sun comes up, you had better be running!
Marahm
May 9, 2008 at 6:43 am
Shahi, yaa…cockroaches are scary…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to take a close up photo of them!!!
Marahm, lovely poem
Unique Muslimah
May 10, 2008 at 9:44 am
‘But should it be this way with humans, who have been given the gift of the mind.’
Surely it shouldn’t be like this. Nice photo with nice philosophy on it!
Ahmad
May 10, 2008 at 12:12 pm