The Ant, Tired of Being Stepped on, Decides to Speak Up.
I’d never before been
An ant
Under a shoe
That is
Until
I met you.
The way you trod carelessly
Around me
Not caring that I may be
Squeezed
Beneath your shoes.
But I Survived
Though not by chance
Because you should know this
About ants.
We are strong
Exceedingly strong.
Stronger even than you.
We can lift ourselves
Twenty times
But you
You can only lift a spoon
To your greedy lips
As you get fat on
Self-importance
And illusions
And delusions
Of grandeur.
So when all is said and done
I know what I am
I am just an ant
But, what are you?
all rights reserved. copyright Justin W. Price, 2011
Thanks for Reading.
PDXKaraokeGuy, also known as Justin W. Price, is an author with Sweatshoppe Publications, which will soon re-release his poetry collection, Digging to China. Additionally, the managing editor at eFiction horror and The New Bridge online newspaper.. Husband to Andrea, father to two dogs. writer.poet.baseball fan. tattooed. He is am amateur theologian with a rabid sweet tooth. He resides in a suburb of Portland, Oregon.He has a poetry book available for Amazon Kindle, and also maintains a blog, FirstBlog. His work has been featured in the Crisis Chronicles, efiction Magazine, The Hellroaring Review, the Bellwether Review, eFiction Humor, and the Rusty Nail. Please visit his profile page for more information. Thanks!
Comments
AUTHORThanks so much, Audrey. I appreciate the kind words!
Still a great piece Justin!
- AUTHOR
Thank you, Cyndi
Oh, this is so good! Glad you came out the better.
- AUTHOR
Poet, thank you. I don't want to toot my own horn, but that is my strength as a writer, probably aided by the fact that i don't like to read long poems. Thanks for stopping by and reading! I appreciate your compliment!
Hooray for the little guy! This was adorable but containing a good message to boot. You sure do get a lot done with very few words.
- AUTHOR
Interior design and construction? This seems oddly juxtaposed!
I've just been working for my dad's construction company and going to school part time for interior design. Things are going good. Thanks for asking.
- AUTHOR
Audrey, thank you. It's always nice to see you!
Till and Jinny, you hit the nail right on the head. That kind of attitude/behaviour was the inspiration behind this poem. There's a lot of people like that, which really puts me out.
echoe, thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your comment
Fantastic
Ah...So clever! Like the way you made emphasis on the underestimated strength that makes the "ant" such a clever creature. While others just criticize and belittle. Makes me think of Matthew 7. It seems to be usual for some people to overlook the underdog and perhaps many don't even sense their capacities on the rise. Pointing out flaws like they are perfect. I really liked this! Awesome work Justin...
Interesting perspective and of course the ant is right, we think we are just...As I read the last lines I thought of small children arguing, "I know you are but what am I?" That is the question, what am I? Voted up.
I loved that this was from the ant's perspective--and important message as well! Well done!!!
- AUTHOR
brian, it's always nice to see you. Thanks for the congrats and the coompliments. I live in hillsboro now so it's possible we could run into each other. what are you up too?
Veronica, I'm glad you enjoyed this and I appreciate you reading through all my hubs. It make sit worth my time to take the time to put these hubs together when I know people actually read them!
Lyns, I've never thought of insects as intelligent, but I suppose anything is possible.
Goego, thanks for reading and commenting!
I smell sweet rocks... red ones
Excellent so true about ants in an poetic way, very interesting, they are very intelligent insects, thanks for sharing this poem. Voted up, awesome, useful
Another great piece. It's taking me forever to read through your hubs, but it's definitely been interesting & entertaining!
I've heard of people wanting to be a "fly on the wall", but never an ant under a shoe.
Hilarious (& I love the meaning behind it, too). Voted up!
Haha hey Justin. I just noticed your response to me. I've been doing good, just trying to get back into the Hubs. I see you've been busy on here, I've been meaning to read more from you. I could learn a thing or two from your poetry skills. Oh and Congrats on the marriage! Maybe I'll see you around one of these days, since I flaked out everytime you had a show. Well keep up the good work!
- AUTHOR
Cab, I look forward to it. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Rebecca, thanks for stopping by and reading. I'm glad you understood the meaning behind this poem! Now, if you knew the people this was about...
I love this poem and t he meaning behind it. Interesting mind you have!
brightened my morning by reading this...will send you an email regarding blog. Thanks.
- AUTHOR
thanks Brian. haven't seen u in awhile. how ya been?
Haha...Nice Justin. I really like this one.
- AUTHOR
Debby, ants are fascinating and I always misspell the word "exorcise" :-)
Faceless, I think so too. Thank you!
Fennel, this is about some specific people and a specific situation. They would know who they were if they read this :-)
Thanks Dora
Lisa, so true. Everyone probly at some point.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Great poem! Unfortunately, I have met many people similar to this. Voted up!
Hey Justin ~ Did you mean "exorcise" or did your run around like an ant with some heavy weights on your back, too?
Great analogy. Clear lesson. Good job. Voted UP.
Execellent PDX, good on you for taking a stance for the ants and the downtrodden. May we all rise above the ant stompers!!! Great poem, votes from me.
Everyone can relate to this! Great poem and statement. :)
Hi Justin. Liked this A LOT! You know I wrote a humungous hub all about ants. They have a complete community and social network just like humans, including fighting wars. They have incredible properties. Hugs, Debby
- AUTHOR
Thanks Nicki! I agree. and Thanks. It's not quite the same as your poem "Denial" but Denial could very well describe the people being talked about!
I found it! and i love it!!! no one would ever think of an ant like that. and I say tis better to be an ant than whatever the person you speak of is. Speak up and be heard my little ants!
- AUTHOR
Thank you HouseWife!
Very good! I loved this poem!
- AUTHOR
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! This poem helped me excorcise some demons
Love the analogy. Voted up!
Enjoyable piece.
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