a series of small things

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Susan L Daniels

one ant is like small trouble
brushed off & walked away from
but do it quickly

because trouble can swarm
into rivers, with toothed currents
hungry, and swallowing flesh alive
in a series of small bites

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About Susan L Daniels

I am a firm believer that politics are personal, that faith is expressed through action, and that life is something that must be loved and lived authentically--or why bother with any of it?
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15 Responses to a series of small things

  1. thecavesofaltamira's avatar Jeremy Nathan Marks says:
    July 19, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    That’s why I take a pointer from a wise man. Try and find where the colony lives and propitiate them. Leave them something to eat at a distance from where you are so they go there and are grateful. 🙂

    • Susan L Daniels's avatar Susan L Daniels says:
      July 19, 2012 at 1:41 pm

      Ah–I see the wisdom in that–one ant’s gratitude multiplied into a colony’s gratitude… 🙂

      • thecavesofaltamira's avatar Jeremy Nathan Marks says:
        July 19, 2012 at 1:44 pm

        I loved it when I read it because it just sounds right. And wise.

        • Susan L Daniels's avatar Susan L Daniels says:
          July 19, 2012 at 1:52 pm

          I think one of us needs to write about propitiating an ant colony…so much kinder than what my mother used to do when she found a hill.

          • thecavesofaltamira's avatar Jeremy Nathan Marks says:
            July 19, 2012 at 1:53 pm

            I will let it “marinate” and see what comes to me.

            I know that when I was little we had termites in our home. My parents really didn’t want to put down poison but finally relented. They regretted it and have never done so since.

  2. Daydreamertoo's avatar Daydreamertoo says:
    July 19, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    That is such a humane way of trying to solve the problem of ants. I try to be kind to all creatures too, apart from the ones that bite or sting and I’m allergic too. But I agree, your way is much kinder. I have earwigs to contend with right now …yuck! LOL
    Lovely poem.

  3. nelle's avatar nelle says:
    July 20, 2012 at 12:27 am

    The ants go marching two by two, hoorah, hoorah… 🙂

  4. Deborah Avila's avatar Deborah Avila says:
    July 20, 2012 at 3:52 am

    aren’t they a pain in the rear end!? Summer’s small smiths!

  5. Rhonda's avatar Rhonda says:
    July 22, 2012 at 10:27 am

    well hell…could have done without nelle’s comment. thanks a LOT nelle!

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