The Red Ants...
The red ants are not red...
They are blacks hired
To mow down their own
Out of sinkholes
Onto pavements
The red ants are not ants...
They are human beings reduced
To machines that bulldoze
Those whose plight they share
For a meal
Note: In the City of Johannesburg, the poor occupying the innercity's delapidated buildings (so-called sinkholes) are forcefully evicted by armies of men in red overalls (popularly known as the red ants) , clearing the buildings as part of the inner city regeneration programme...
poem by Moses Mtileni
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Of Ants and Life
…guess me correct
of ants and life they connect
causing a traffic jam on their trails I cannot forget
of ants as they swam from tree barks to get
a source of existence cannot let
the ants in drought to starve
for food is what they have once collected
and stored;
that which none has never rejected
nor objected
of ants and life
the futuristic species
that know when to pick up the pieces
of anything,
and the guard ants making sure nothing misses
from whence it were piled and stored
of ants and life ‘am never bored
as I observed how they nod
in respect and honor on board
as they pass each other a hustle they accord
of ants and life as they seek to conform
to a life in all its form
if ants can manage their own
why can’t we not of our own?
poem by Onalethuso Petruss Ntema
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Warrior Red-Ants
I crushed some warrior-ants to death,
And wondered what, others would do;
And very promptly, came more ants
To investigate scene of crime!
These ants build nests upon the trees,
By gluing leaves with strange substance;
Their nests look like army barracks,
With sentry-ants guarding smartly!
The dead ants lay all strewn about;
A few of them were moving still;
And very soon, they too lay dead,
Like soldiers killed in battle-field!
The scout ants went from ant to ant,
Perhaps in search of ones alive;
Some went back fast to convey news
About the tragedy they saw!
And very soon, arrived more ants
To check if dead were truly dead;
Somehow, these ants smelt death itself;
They did it so effortlessly!
Each one of them lifted the dead,
By proboscis and sped back home;
Each ant with carcass upon mouth,
Ran back as fast as legs carried.
And in a trice, the dead were cleared;
The scene of crime was clean by now;
The work was finished in moments;
Yes, ants are truly busiest!
Oh, what respect ants show their dead!
How fast they rescue comrades hurt!
They proved they respected their dead;
Do human beings do like-wise?
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-15-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Worker Ants
Worker Ants
Parallel along the path I followed an ant track.
I joined the ants, there were many all carrying
bits of straw so I picked up a piece of dry straw,
and man was it heavy. The other ants laughed
said will get the hang of it in time, soon you’ll
be able to carry two. Maybe four too, I rashly
said. No, that will break your back.
I kept falling behind as I timidly scanned the air
for predatory sparrows and wondered if rabbits
eat ants. Where their track ends by a hole, their
home, I threw my burden to the ground and
jumped back on to my own path. Hard work kills
the soul, and all you get at the end of it is cheap
pocket watch.
poem by Oskar Hansen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ants On A Log
Ants on a log
Floatin down a river
Runnin around
But not gettin anywhere
Our steerin wheels
Just aint connected
And we cant jump off like flees on a dog
Cant fly away like flies on a hog
Were really just along for the ride like ants on a log
I got an uncle
He plays a game
He cant win it
Hes got a mold
Tries to fit everybody else in it
Whens he gonna learn hes bangin his head on the wall?
He aint gonna change
And he looks at me strange
When I tell him that I think were all
Just ants on a log
Floatin down a river
Runnin around
But not gettin anywhere
Our steerin wheels
Just aint connected
And we cant jump off like flees on a dog
Cant fly away like flies on a hog
Were really just along for the ride like ants on a log
We all know people
Who yell at the cars and the traffic
Folks in a hurry
Lifes full of heartache and havok
I finally learned how to lay back and let life happen
I just image the angels up in heaven
Lookin down at us and laughin
At ants on a log
Floatin down a river
Runnin around
But not gettin anywhere
Our steerin wheels
Just aint connected
And we cant jump off like flees on a dog
Cant fly away like flies on a hog
Were really just along for the ride like ants on a log
And just about the time you think youre rollin in clover
Along comes a rabbit
And the world tips over
Ants on a log
Floatin down a river
Runnin around
But never gettin anywhere
Our steerin wheels
Just aint connected
And we cant jump off like flees on a dog
Cant fly away like flies on a hog
Were really just along for the ride like ants on a log
Yeah were really just along for the ride like ants on a log
song performed by by Randy Travis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Crazy Antics For Harriet Bishop
I watched an ant and wondered why.
He was convinced he had to try
to climb a grass stem to the top
and down the other side none stop.
Why did he feel he had to climb?
It was a complete waste of time.
But Ants do what they want to do
I know because I’ve watched a few.
I don’t think ants are very bright,
they very seldom get it right.
Though I can’t think the way ants do.
He might have had good reason to
climb to the top and down again.
Or just may be he was insane.
10-Sep-08
http: // blpg.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Looking For Sugar!
following the trail of the ants,
past empty factory buildings.
past fields not planted.
past vacant store fronts.
past cars up on blocks,
and signs yelling 'for rent'...
following the trail of the ants,
looking for sugar!
following the trail of the sun,
from day unto night.
from family to forsaken.
from home to the road.
from god to the faces
that ring like haunted church bells,
following the trail of the sun...
looking for sugar!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I'm Not Jealous!
It is not that I’m jealous…
HONESTLY I’m not!
It’s just that, when you are
away from me,
I remember how you look in
your jeans and FCUK sweater
(you are really HOT you know)
and I imagine how certain PEOPLE
would look at you -
and make doe-like EYES at you
(you know how these people can be)
and from nowhere there will be ANTS
millions of ants crawling up the back
of my legs, up my spine and into my
brain…. being busy all over
messing up my headspace and
turning everything GREEN
not “serene pastures” green
not “an apple-a-day keeps the doctor away” green
but GREEN as in a dragon’s tail
before it turns fiery and red
and then all the ants explode in my head….
It is not that I’m jealous…
I PROMISE I’m not,
but ladies beware, because you’ll wish that you were
DEAD!
poem by Yuri Duraan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Rational Ants
From the volumes of total strength
A lesson transmitted a whole death;
One mighty foot descended at the attacker,
These ants wore a tiny prison of poison
Wrecking a fortunate end and destiny.
What do these fiends construct?
The ants antagonize and answer
A few rude joys, offering a majesty
Of wealth and learning to the escapees.
This train has journeyed from the lessons
Where teaching asked a question from the heart
And the head was heavy with thoughts of your majesty.
I see volumes of work in the tall buildings,
Bolstering a new set of worshiping places
That descend on the heaving masses
Of this whole rational thinking.
poem by Naveed Akram
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
After Making Love
After making love
We split
Our bodies
Into
Perfect halves
We hold hands
Kiss
Then close
Our eyes
We dream
Something
Very peaceful
Everything
Is so calm
So perfectly
Quiet.
We hear
The footprints
Of ants
Journeying
On the ceiling,
Dreamy
Red ants
On chocolate
& bread
Crumb.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Socially An Accepted Activity
Does it really make a difference,
If carpenter ants or termites...
Are responsbile for the effects,
Of a crumbling structure known?
Both can gnaw galleries,
In dead or decayed wood.
Termites are often pale colored,
And live in colonies.
Maybe because they are called white ants...
And the carpenter ones are black.
Perhaps that is the reason,
When they destroy with ultimate devastation...
It is socially an accepted activity,
Than 'if' their presence had been of color.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
This Butterfly Has Been Cocooned
Can ants gathering in the smallest of hills...
Prevent the butterfly from flaunting its color?
They may prejudge its beauty.
And ability to attract.
That is established and known.
They will still be ants.
This butterfly has been cocooned.
And is not wounded by their remarks.
As it embarks on its journey.
Free to glorify its life!
It flies!
And without trying...
Sparks attention!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Fury Of Rain Storms
The rain drums down like red ants,
each bouncing off my window.
The ants are in great pain
and they cry out as they hit
as if their little legs were only
stitched on and their heads pasted.
And oh they bring to mind the grave,
so humble, so willing to be beat upon
with its awful lettering and
the body lying underneath
without an umbrella.
Depression is boring, I think
and I would do better to make
some soup and light up the cave.
poem by Anne Sexton
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
124
after making love
After making love
We split
Our bodies
Into
Perfect halves
We hold hands
Kiss
Then close
Our eyes
We dream
Something
Very peaceful
Everything
Is so calm
So perfectly
Quiet.
We hear
The footprints
Of ants
Journeying
On the ceiling,
Dreamy
Red ants
On chocolate
& bread
Crumb.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Medication
This is the part of me that needs medication
This is the part of me that believes in heaven
....thinks outer space is all dead
....wishes it was with it
....s trying to be funny
....loves my parents
...thinks that ants are cavemen
....thinks all humans are ants
....learns from sitcoms
.....means nothing
And I do-o-o-ont know
Where I could go away and you could wish that I had stayed or just
Stayed gone
And I dont know
And I dont know at all
So, out of the context and into what you meant
And u know your reasons
You dont know who you are but you know who you wanna be
I-i-i doooont know
So you go to the library to get yourself a book and you look and you look
But you didnt find anything to read
And I do-ont know at all
Left all my kinda parts rusting and peeling
That guy was complaining as he looked at the ceiling
My nose isnt that big it looks nothing like me
Were all doctors trading sadness for numbness
Grass looks much greener but its green-painted cement
Mayors (? ) and machines now theyre cleaning the pavement
You cant make dirt clean so well just lemon-scent it
song performed by by Modest Mouse
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet: Ants Too Are Great
The Ants too serve the Lord in greater ways;
If not for them, who will devour the dead
Of flora, fauna? Nobody them pays;
But that is how they work and get well fed.
They work much more than any human soul;
Their little brains can think a lot of things;
Never-ending, they labor for a goal;
Suff’ring adverse conditions, Nature brings.
What unity exists within the clan!
They worked in unison in disaster;
They are so industrious, much more than man;
For body size, they run even faster.
Man has to learn many lessons from the ants;
They live much satisfied with lesser wants.
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Stinging Reply - 1915 - to Ogden Nash The Termite, Harry Graham Ruthless Rhymes and Hilaire Belloc
When termites knocked upon ants' door
they thought to conquer larval store;
how lucky vicious fire ant queen
nested above poor Auntie Jean,
for when upon the latter's bed
it fell and stung her quick and dead.
Her Will, found sound, Judge Jonas swore
that I'd inherit more and more!
From this one may gay moral glean,
auspicious chance and pastures green
fall to man mean who plans ahead,
blind termites leads to where ants bred.
(9 September 2009)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ants are so much like human beings as to be an embarrassment. They farm fungi, raise aphids as livestock, launch armies into war, use chemical sprays to alarm and confuse enemies, capture slaves, engage in child labor, exchange information ceaselessly. They do everything but watch television.
quote by Lewis Thomas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Traveling Wind
I feel a breeze of wind
It is as soft as a baby
It travels along the land
It comforts the grass that beetles, ants, and grasshoppers make their way through
Ants continue to make their home that is only but dirt to humans
Dirt to ants is a brick to build a home
The breeze of wind continues to travel
The black and orange bird looks for food
It chirps around
It pecks in the grass
The bird finally travels away along with the wind
All is quiet but the crying of the leaves that are sticking out of the ground
Their hands, which are thorns, are reaching out to be comforted
The traveling wind goes and comforts them
Th wind travels elsewhere
poem by Pamela Mote
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
At high tide the fish eat ants; at low tide the ants eat fish.
At high tide fish eat ants; at low tide ants eat fish.