SUN SHOWER

High on a prominent proudly built hill

ants scurry and scatter confused by a shower

never seen before.

It was yellow and focused like a laser beam

with a scent quite familiar like their own body’s skin.

“Take cover!” they shout, “hide the women and children!”

As soon as the deluge descended it abruptly stopped

except for a last few wiggling dribbles and drops.

“Must have been a sun shower” they say as soldiers

with scimitar mandibles come out of the tunnels.

Master ants order slaves to carry bits and pieces

of this and that on their backs carrying food

to the larvae, cleaning and guarding the nest.

Males ecstatically resume their designated duty,

fertilizing the one and only queen.

Milton P. Ehrlich 199 Christie St. Leonia, N.J. 07605