Worker Ant Monologue
Alone among thousands
millions, maybe
We don’t even talk
if it’s not about work
If we did we’d say
how happy we are
Together, not lonely
how can you be lonely
when so damn together?
Exactly.
Nods to work/life
balance from top brass
An email went round
nest softball practice
We’re all too tired
to bother turning up
It’s not even really
our thing anyway
so back home to a box set
of aphids
Licking their legs
honeydew ready meal
Satiated if not satisfied
that’s enough
Then head down;
today’s hundredth power-nap
Busy bees, us ants
busy busy busy
This is all for us
or if not for us exactly
For a greater good:
Roll up, step up
Give up
for our happy
hardworking family.
Gary W. Hartley does daft, vaguely-poetic things on stage under the moniker Gary From Leeds. His debut collection, Your Attempt to Enjoy These Poems is Considered Unsatisfactory, is out soon on Listen Softly London Press. Twitter: @garyfromleeds