IVY REED and ALICE BROWN

Photo by Tim Madison


After I had founded the American Tarantula Society in 1978 and it was in full swing, we produced a new brochure and were fortunate enough to have former Miss Washington Universe, Ivy Reed, pose for its cover, with my pet tarantula, Alice Brown. Ivy was cordial and professional for the pictures, and we didn't know until later how the experience affected her, when she wrote and contributed a poem for our newsletter, the Tarantula Times:


I'd never held a tarantula
Before,
Until Alice Brown appeared
At my door.

This eight legged beauty
Had me paralyzed in place,
As her sleek velvet body
Sidled my face.

Now onlookers surmised,
I was ludicrous in their eyes.
But in contact with her power,
I felt no threat of devour.

In conclusion, Alice Brown
May conjure your illusions,
Of an optical effect,
Or frightened confusion,

But don't let that lead you
Astray--
For she's unique, and she's
Gentle, in her own majestic way.



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