It's the Little Things

An extended reflection on a natural event.

There's a reservoir near my home
That I go to some days.
It's usually quiet:
A bit out of the way.

It requires walking to get there,
If you're eager to see, but
That's not popular in this town,
So there's often just me.

I sit on a bench, by the shore, in the shade,
Under the trees 'neath the crows black and brave.
There are so many life forms, you might miss at first sight,
But they'll notice you, and you them, when they bite.
Your hands or your ankles, with no malice a fore,
It's their role to provision the community store.

These ants go a scavenging far and then near,
Moving all in their way, a landscape to clear.
By the shore, fallen leaves - a fleet in the making,
Ants crawling aboard, a high risk undertaking.

For a year this leaf litter grew, attached to the trees,
Now freedom has come in the form of a breeze,
Which broke that connection, let them flutter and glide,
Down to rest unaware next the blue waters' side.

All that it took were two powerful gusts,
To launch these ants on their paper thin crafts,
Onto choppy waters, destinations unknown,
Life changed forever, direction windblown.

These vessels hit heavy spinning fast to adjust,
Presenting curved sides, downwind from the blast,
No mizzen, no main, but swept spinnaker full,
An adventure has dawned for the leaves and ant crew.

Scurrying, hurrying, no fear in their eyes,
Teamwork's essential to prevent a capsize.
All around the flotilla is reducing in number,
The ships without crew, the first to go under.

Surging then breaching, mere pawns in the storm,
The captains beseeching  buccaneers to conform.  
Yet some craft founder, with inadequate skegs,
Capsize and then sink, going down with all legs.

Around and beneath them swim shadowy forms,
Hungry for ants, vegetation - no qualms,
Giant carp like sharks appear and pursue,
Snapping up leaf boats, brave captains and crew.

Yet some voyage on, cresting waves, shrugging off,
Peaks of high water that descend into troughs.
Sailing out of sight now, their fate in the laps,
Of the gods that allowed them to board these leaf traps.

Author's Note

A first poem, but say what you will. Better to know, right?

Reviews

[Veronique]

Hello my friend...:) I myself found your first post to be very interesting and quite enjoyable to read each and every single line sweet friend.I hope to see you post more of your hearts words to share with all here...take care.Warm country hugs and smiles to you.