SOLDIER ANTS

When these ants are on he march, run...

 

     SOLDIER ANTS

They march as one

From sun to sun,

Through desert, mud;

Through fire and flood.

 

A massed machine,

They strip all green,

Destroy the land,

Turn grass to sand.

 

And still they come"

An unseen drum

Beats them on,

From dusk to dawn.

 

They swarm, they kill,

And march on still,

Through all they see,

Relentlessly.

 

Author's Note

When the Soldier ants—or army ants—are on the move, Everyone runs. The ants eat anything in the way; they march as one creature, with one mind.

The last two lines are incorrect. The forager ants are almost blind; they operate by smell, and not by sight.

Reviews

[mattavelli]

I agree with Sandy. The form worked well. The subject is interesting.

[Sandy Miller]

It is really amazing how you set this poem to a synergistic cadence with the subject matter. Bravo Marie another wonderful write.

[Marie]

Thanks. This is a particular form of verse I like to do.

[Woody]

I'm always mesmerized by your short lines. what a poet you are, Marie! you are so versatile and make it seem so easy.

[Marie]

Thanks Woody. It isn't easy to write this kind of verse, but I like the challenge.

[Vernika]

I love the flow of this poem. It has got a certain rhythm which makes it so attractive. :)

[Marie]

Thank you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

time for a lot of foot stomping music!

[Marie]

I guess so.

[An owl on the moon]

There is such a fierce, piercing rhythm to your words, which brings these wild soldiers to life in every letter. So powerful to read.

[Terpsichore]

True of mankind as well, (aside from the marching as one,) which we have yet to embrace.

Enjoyed this. T

[Marie]

Thank you.

[Writer at last! Sky ~]

This is a very nice poem. Yes the Soldier ants—or army ants always marching their way in units & nobody can stop them...

[Magistrate Templeton]

Positively wonderful ole bean! This poem reminds me of an ode I heard while on safari in Siberia. One night, by the light of a fire and just before the tiger I was hunting found our party and devoured the minstrel, a man sang an ode much like yours that filled my British soul, or perhaps it was the fly agaric I had consumed only a few minutes before hearing the song. It matters not! Your poem is just as wonderful and were the minstrel who sang the ode I have mentioned still alive, I am positive he would desire to sing your poem before suffering some tragedy.

Keep your mustache clean!

Magistrate Templeton
Penned at the College of Musings.

[Marie]

In a movie "The Naked Junge" a man was entirely eaten by Soldier ants. I never forgot it. I think that would be worse than being devoured by a tiger. I'm glad you read this poem and not ne of my insipid little nture verses.

[Marie]

Thank you.

[Dr. Wood ?]

STILL A GREAT POEM MARIE...Our ants are WIMPS compared to yours

[ANTO]

who you calling a wimp Doc ? lol

[Dr. Wood ?]

ha...HE men are not included in that remark......

[ANTO]

lol - :))......

[Marie]

We do not have soldier ants in Texas. Those are to be found in South America and Africa. We do have horrible things called fire ants. I was stung by one once, and the mark of that stayed with me for three years,

[Dr. Wood ?]

oh my.....I get an ant bite and it is all over in a few hours...just a nasty itch