The Ant King

6 Comments

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  • Childhood

    The Ant King

    Wind always sighs from the effort

    To labor through the pine boughs

    And always leaves with resin on its breath

     

    I’m not sure why the sigh haunts me so

    To and fro, to and fro, a spooky sound

    All the night, or forever until death

     

    Morning, ants upon its weeping bark

    Climb unhurried heavenward

    Just to taste its bitter tears

     

    And I, below, but on a lark, join them

    On an impulse skyward, so at six, 

    I’ll remember through the years

     

    A boy can dream of castle’s keep

    Above some dungeon dark

    And lift the makeshift manner gate

     

    Wrapping the knotted sisal tightly

    Around a sturdy willing limb

    I’m the ant king, and that feels just great

     

    When the vison passes, I shinny down

    Pitch stuck on in shiny ribbon souveniers

    And suddenly I know, why the wind sighs so.


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    carynontherhine commented on The Ant King

    01-18-2011

    I almost felt as though I was in the wilderness camping maybe or just walking through. Your descriptives never cease to amaze me and bring me to the depth of your writes. Great Harvy!! Hugz
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/18/2011

    I guess at six my back yard was a wilderness... of sorts. I once stepped barefoot on a huge milk snake in the tall grass in the field behind the lawn on my way to the raspberry patch. Never made it that day! LOL Harv

    Hampton commented on The Ant King

    01-08-2011

    A lovely poem nestled within the branches of a tree and the imagination of a young heart.
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/08/2011

    Thanks for reading. Is there another 3 time weekly winner here? You done good my man. Done good. Harv

    Hampton

    01/08/2011

    I don't know if there are other 3 time winners or not. Could be. In either case I thank you for your kindness.

    HarverTomsson

    01/08/2011

    I think ginga has had three wins also, but past that I'm not sure, maybe dah. Anyway it is a short list. Kudos. Harv

    Mareann commented on The Ant King

    01-07-2011

    You have awaken my senses with this wiked aroma of pine sap... A better smell then most trees, terpentine oil? Isn't that which our mothers used to get the sap off with... I feel a trip to the mountains coming on soon... yummy!
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/07/2011

    Mom called for help, and Dad got out the "turp" as he called it, and bailed the both of us out. Heeven let me climb the tree, but showed me the solvent oil to use myself the next time. Harv

    Mareann

    01/07/2011

    Thank God my memory serves me correctly a good majority of the time... Lol... Sounds like an adventure for sure! I do miss the good old days...

    ginga commented on The Ant King

    01-07-2011

    Harv, This poem lends so much...the aroma of pine, the viscous sap on ones tree climbing hands, the image of one in the forest gazing skyward and recalling their childhood. An awe inspiring poem. ginga
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/07/2011

    I was sighing think of what Mom would say on seeing it on my pants come washday. LOL Harv

    tenderpoison commented on The Ant King

    01-07-2011

    this feels just magical Harv - I loved it. made me feel nostalgic for my own young imaginings....and I really enjoyed the ending. Perfect poetry 10
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/07/2011

    Those were magical days. There were exactly 10 more Christmases until I could get a driver's license. Harv

    In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it's the exact opposite.

    Franz Kafka (1883-1924) Czech writer.

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