Flying Friends In the Firmament

In the midst of a quiet summer day, while the sun is peeping And the gentle breeze brushing everything, dancing and passing Our hero, an ant, seen sweating and puffing, but still climbing Like a soldier on mission, to the top of a Mulberry tree. Being a mere working class, under a stern mighty queen Never achieved anything big, as a slave he still working Wandering and seeking around, for his daily slice of bread Finding atop of the homely tree, eyeing a fruit he started. Quite a brave in his genre, a Hercules in carrying loads Never knows the meaning of fear, but feared hearing a murmur It was loud, clear and jumpy, like crushing leaves with vicious teeth Stopping there with beating heart, looking around spotting drifting leaves. Dwelling under a lofty leaf, sticking out his antenna With bulky eyes like a hulk and ton little legs for walking As a stone watching him, our tiny ant forget to breathe in The fluffy monster full in green kept watching the six trembling legs. “Fear not my dear itsy-bitsy friend, fear not Even in my dreams I never harm, fear not Me, a caterpillar, the hairy cat, fear not This spooky look, not for you but for whom I fear In this monstrous body, there lies a kind heart A heart so lonely, longing for a pally heart For you my golden line of friendship I extend Fear not and hug me, be my bro forever.” Shuffling legs the cute caterpillar, crawling to the tree top Bringing ripe mulberry fruit for the ant in lickety-split Seeing sweet bulky fruit and the lovely pleasing bosom friend In teary eyes and cheering antennas, started their friendly bond. Days and nights crawling away, their friendship get sticky and strong Playing teasing all around, hide and seek and spying blue Playing out day and night, together they eat together sleep Days and nights crawling away, their friendship get sticky and strong. Like a cute eating machine the hairy cat munching a lot Growing tummy, swelling body, plump and chubby stopping not Worrying if his friend will burst or fly away like a balloon The little ant kept on warning but he never heard his song. Tempting luster green leaves, running with a watery mouth Till his plate clear and empty, defying friend and eating lot One day, he felt sick and dizzy, sleepy and an aching stomach Without even a goodnight wish, made a hut and went to sleep. The lonely ant daily went looking for his waking friend In his hut the hairy cat kept on sleeping like a dead Days and night crawling away, the desolate ant worrying much Calling, crying, knocking hut, never he stir nor open the door. Another day our hapless ant seeing the hut torn and marred Crying searching everywhere he never saw not a soul With wailing eyes sobbing lips kept on searching for his friend Fluttering wings, jetting sound feeling behind, he got afraid. "Fear not my dear itsy-bitsy friend, fear not Even in my dreams I never harm, fear not I'm your lost friend, the hairy cat, fear not On to the sleep, grown with wings, I came out. Pray climb on me and hold me tight, I'll fly Carrying you, I'll fly to the heaven high Showing you the world around, we will fly Don't ever worry, I'm your friend, let us fly." With a stalling heart but flying joy mounted on his friend Holding tight beneath the fluttering wings he saw the world Leaping from flower to flower, red, yellow, blue and white Drinking fragrance and sickly-sweet honey they fly around. Greenish meadows, flying birds and dancing flowers all below Golden sunlight making pearls in winding sparkling rivers Wonder and joy sharing two flying friends in the firmament With bounding love, friendship soaring, high and tall till the end. Honorable Mention in STRAND SELECT V any form,any theme Poetry Contest sponsored by Brian Strand