MESSAGE FROM A MITE

   MESSAGE FROM A MITE

I am a termite; I didn’t ask

to be here, but here I am; so

I must make the most of my

hereness with nearness to one-

and two-story wooden structures,

single- and double-decker dinners to me. 

I spend most of my time eating, emptying,

and refilling, with an occasional stroke

to perpetuate my species, much like human

beings, except they don’t eat wood, but rather

animals they kill and cook and place on painted

plates, then devour with sterling silver knives

and forks, sitting around wooden tables

covered with lace or other expensive cloths. 

They also seem to be consumed

with making money, playing games,

and killing one another in the name

of their offended gods.  I am amazed

and amused at  how we creatures differ

in our style of maintaining our hereness.

          March 15, 2004