The Ant's Lament

Didn’t mind

Draggin’ a leaf

From Bamako

To Timbuktu

* * *

There was no kerfuffle

When forced to hustle

As sand-storms,

& hot-winds blew.

* * *

I’ve marched into battle,

Fightin’ with termites,

Saving my family

& friends.

* * *

Workin’ all night,

Lung-less & Ear-less,

Until my

Little life ends.

* * *

Then when I die,

Good-bye & by,

Stiff as a twig,

Or a rock.

* * *

Ignored by my tribe,

Givin’ off vibes,

’til it’s time

For my fateful death-walk.

* * *

Being left to rot,

Decay, & what-not,

Piled on a pile

Of remains.

* * *

De-composition,

In different positions,

Never to march out

Again.

* * *

I didn’t mind

Draggin’ my load

Through valleys,

& mountains & sand.

* * *

My only regret,

Minor, and yet—

I wish I’d played

In a band.