"The Lifespan of Ants"

I wish I could be
Blinding white cardboard
Arms and shoulders,
Strong paisley noose,
Empty shirt pocket.
Buttons at the bottom
Mean that this is ending.

We’re all bad tattoos,
Inherited tea cups,
Shaking on wooden table,
Wobbly legs, screws missing.
Piano parts, looped
Without lyrics.

Standing now in the back yard.
Fenced in this memory,
Pulled from nothing.
Oak tree in the corner,
Looking down like God.
Climb. Climb. Climb.
Fall.

The lifespan of a worker ant is one year.
They collect food, watch after their young, dig in the dirt.
When they return to the nest,
Other worker ants leave to rummage for food.
And when those return, others leave.
And when those return, others leave.
And when those return, others leave.