Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ANT-HEAP, by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON Poet's Biography First Line: High in the woodland, on the mountain-side Last Line: The pity they deny. Alternate Author Name(s): Benson, A. C. Subject(s): Ants; Insects; Bugs | ||||||||
High in the woodland, on the mountain-side, I ponder, half a golden afternoon, Storing deep strength to battle with the tide I must encounter soon. Absorbed, inquisitive, alert, irate, The wiry wood-ants run beneath the pines, And bustle if a careless footfall grate Among their travelled lines. With prey unwieldy, slain in alien lands, When shadows fall aslant, laden they come, Where, piled of red fir-needles, guarded stands Their dry and rustling dome. They toil for what they know not; rest they shun; They nip the soft intruder; when they die They grapple pain and fate, and ask from none The pity they deny. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE EXHAUSTED BUG; FOR MY FATHER by ROBERT BLY PLASTIC BEATITUDE by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR BEETLE LIGHT; FOR DANIEL HILLEN by MADELINE DEFREES CLEMATIS MONTANA by MADELINE DEFREES THOMAS MERTON AND THE WINTER MARSH by NORMAN DUBIE AFTER CONSTRUING by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON |
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