Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago

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From 'Poems Old and New' Robin Kelly


New-Ants


They marched in convoy in their straight line
Carrying their leaves to their nest
As ever since the dawn of time
And with no thought of rest


They came upon a mushroom fair
And dared for once to eat
They nibbled free without a care
Until they were replete


They looked around, their world had changed
Such beauty left and right
They scattered out beyond their lane
And ventured into the night


Some shed their leaves, some carried still
There was no blame nor strife
Some relished their new-found free-will
Some perished for that price


Most ants continue on their quest
To colonise their land
Time honoured ways they feel are best
To deviate be damned


But some new-ants are nuanced now
They’ve broken from their past
So watch your step where ere you go
Their legacy to last.


(c) Robin Kelly 2024