Image by Sr. Samolo via Flickr
Note: If you’re looking for my post for dVerse Meeting the Bar, please go to https://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/thirteen-ways-of-looking-at-a-desert/
Worker Ants
colonies of worker ants
emerge
single file,
follow the leader
between blades of grass
standing attention,
communicate in obscure
jargon.
antennae protrude
where you’d think
ears should be.
maroon suits clothe angular
bodies.
predators,
they advance,
stalk ambiguous profit.
others cluster to the side
juggle brief
cases and carry-on’s,
babble the same language.
“Southwest Airlines, flight
eleven-thirty
to Oakland and Orange County,
now boarding group A.”
If you’ve flown on an airline recently, perhaps you’ll recognize the inspiration behind this poem that I’m submitting to Poetry Rally: http://promisingpoetsparkinglot.blogspot.com/2011/10/agreement-for-thursday-poets-rally-week.html Come on and join in the fun.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Your next poem could be about the inchworm. That is what those lines feel line as one by one, those at the counter complete their business and leave to fine somewhere to wait until boarding.
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I fully appreciate anyone that can write inprose. I have done a little poetry…but nothing like you do. It’s very refreshing!!
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Eerie and true, a fine poem.
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A nice surprise. We are similar to ants, though I suspect ants are more efficient and less grumpy. 🙂 I like how you describe the sound of this crowd, it does indeed sound like incomprehensible babble, sometimes totally cannot be distinguished which language.
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I had to chuckle because it is just as you describe. Also, I always thing all the cars driving home look like beetles … There’s something about the rhythm of this that does support the the picture painted.
Have fun with Rally.
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So true and well said. I’ve often wondered what we must look like from other planets and now I think I know.
Also, I’ve nominated you for a Lovely Blog Award. Details are on my page if you are interested, no pressure, just have some fun with it if you’d like to 🙂
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I truly hate big airports now as a passenger. Yet I flew as cabin crew for more years than I care to remember. We were cabin staff, we didn’t get to see this side of the check in. We were in our crew room preparing for the flight and checking our safety proceedures and who would take what positions, gally, bar etc and getting to know one another if it was long haul. You never flew with the same crew. Pax were often jumpy when they boarded. The stress of the big airport. But once they settled into their seats they were mostly okay and relaxed.
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Great poem. I especially liked the end and how you alluded to it being about humans from early on.
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What an inventive vision and imagination you show in this poem. Excellent.
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I really like “stalk ambiguous profit.” Great write!
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All right…this is funny, because my poem this week is called ‘Ants!’ http://wp.me/p102ON-4X and I find yours here upon browsing.
Great description of a ‘well ordered machine’ — a colony of ants –initially, but then it morphs into ..apparently.. humans. Interesting twist or ‘fusion’ of pictures. good idea for a poem.
thanks for sharing.
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How true Victoria, the ‘ants’ milling and walking in single file with their hand luggage, those on the tarmac in uniform going about their chores. Yes, the ants!
Great poem!
Hank
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So many drones and so few queens! I’m thinking about the song I sing with my grandson ‘the ants go marching.’
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Great analogy, Victoria. The tenacity and determination of ants exemplify the arrogance of mankind. At least ants will go around.
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too true. Excellent analogy with your usual arresting imagery to fill it out
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haha – was curious about your ants…smiles
you so made me see them victoria…in airports…train stations…cities…they’re everywhere…sad in a way and comforting in a way…at least they all bubble the same language…smiles
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Oh how I hate being one of those ants, though ’tis true air travel is very stimulating to the poetry process! Your poem is impressive.
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interesting topic,
great imagery.
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