(A true story from southern Wisconsin - 2006-07)

 

Deep into the woods in my truck I seemed lost.

The brisk, chilly breeze was still holding the frost.

Because it was dried up and totally dead,

I decided to cut down this big tree instead.

 

The ants had been busy all over that tree,

before my big chain saw had made them all flee.

The noise and vibration and all the turmoil,

(had it happened to me, would have made my blood boil).

 

But they simply scattered if off to the races,

to other safe havens - to other safe places.

My muscles all ached from my head to my feet,

but I felt so content - with my job now complete.

 

It seemed that my actions were merely a bump,

to ants now so busy inside that tree stump

I wondered which one, if any, had won -

the ants or myself as I thought my job done.

 

As I sat on the gate of my rusty old truck,

loaded down heavy with logs - was now stuck -

and realized then that it's sometimes worthwhile,

to sit back a moment, a moment to smile.

 

©2007 louis gander