What's Going On?
My, what a busy little ant — you’ve quite a load, I see,
It’s somewhat bigger than you, and clearly far more heavy.
Boy, I wish I had your strength, for it would come in handy,
Mind! Overlooked the width, huh? Wow, you made it — though barely.
Yes, back and forth, back and forth, you go — so intriguingly,
Toting this or that — a leaf, some food — my, what energy.
It tires me watching you, makes me feel dozy and dizzy,
I don’t know how you do it — you’re busy, busy, busy.
So, tell me, do you sleep, or just catch forty winks, maybe,
Tumble into bed and tumble out again, sleepily?
Seems you’re always on the go, darting about franticly,
Tell me, is it steroids, or some obsessive tendency?
Judging by the trail I see, you’ve got lots of company,
Aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews, siblings — undoubtedly.
They all seem just as busy, and as full of energy,
Yes, it seems this odd behaviour runs in your family.
You’re up and down the driveway — everywhere, actually,
You’ve got me scratching my head, you’re really bamboozling me.
Perhaps you’re on a mission, or is it tomfoolery,
Come on now, you can tell me — say, is it insanity?
No! I’m not anti-ants, it’s just your antics that baffle me,
All that rushing back and forth — perpetually, seemingly.
Yes, that tugging and lugging, lifting and shifting, dear me,
That just never seems to stop — it’s crazy, crazy, crazy.
Okay, I admit I’m jealous, would love your energy,
But even so, you’re overdoing things physically.
Oh, by the way, I don’t like ants in my jam or honey,
So you can wipe that grin off your face — it isn’t funny!
By Lance Landall
Showoffs
I’m looking out my window at a clever little bird,
Who’s perched upon a cable, and weather-wise, isn’t deterred.
Although the cable’s swinging, he’s still sitting there singing,
Thereby, amusement and pleasure this intrigued poet bringing.
Yes, there he perches or clings, with the odd flutter of wings,
And midst his bouts of chirping, joyfully back and forth swings.
He hasn’t a fear of heights, so he’s completely at ease,
A chatty little showoff who has mastered the trapeze.
Sometimes I’ve seen him flirting with a little lady friend,
Who sooner or later, time nesting will probably spend.
And then there’ll be more chirping, more antics that’ll catch my eye,
As back and forth, up and down, more clever little showoffs fly.
He visits with his buddies seeking juicy worms to chew,
Who should they pop their head up, get a close up bird’s eye view.
Sometimes it’s like a party, given the numbers that I see
Poking their beaks in the lawn in search of something wriggly.
But all in all, it’s nice to have a pleasant diversion,
Particularly midst one’s poetical immersion.
Yes, a break from serious concentration, albeit brief,
Via little feathered showoffs providing some light relief.
By Lance Landall
