April Poem-A-Day Challenge Day 15

prompt: an infested poem

Ants break speed limits
before rain, moving
a nursery. Out of the way!
Move! Long live the queen!

Hanging washing on the line
I must dance and stamp, for
deterrence, my own version
of territoriality, upper hand.

Too bad, they say. Life
is urgent. Get out of the way!
How many communities
occupy this block with me?

No use to petition the queen;
she's too busy with parturition.
Carried along by the army's will,
she is deaf to all pleas.

Washing hung, I retreat
Rain washes all thoughts
of retribution away. I hope
their young thrive.