The Ant and the Woodlouse
(from where I sat)
From where I sat
I watched the ant
wander on his way
I wondered what he’d do
if something came
to spoil his day.
I blew my breath
and blew some more
as if it were in wrath,
he circled round
but never stopped
till he regained his path.
From where I sat
it seemed the ant
just soldiered on his way,
whatever threw him
off his track
would never spoil his day.
___________________________
From where I sat
I watched the woodlouse
plodding on his path
I wondered just
what he would do
if he had felt my wrath.
He hunkered down
just like a stone
to bear the sudden rush,
until it dropped
until it stopped
until their came a hush…
From where I sat
I watched the woodlouse
quickly change his pace,
perhaps the storm
that might return
was more than he could face.
19/4/26
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Author:
FrasMac (
Offline) - Published: May 11th, 2026 12:20
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 8
- Users favorite of this poem: arqios, sorenbarrett
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Comments4
nice write
All bets are on - which strategy will win the day? I think my money is on the woodlouse who seems to adhere to the old maxim 'discretion is the better part of valour'; the ant a boofhead who may achieve goals, however.
A deceptively simple poem provides nice philosophical issues. Thanks for that.
We've been taught and learnt about ants from time immemorial, but a louse is a louse just the sound of it is weighed with connotation. Magnificent read here, dear FrasMac 🕊️🙏🤩
A fable in a poem that has good rhyme and a message. There are different ways of dealing with adversity and with different results. Well done and a fave
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