Post by Dame Aegraine lePower-Zurban on Oct 5, 2009 21:05:27 GMT -6
Queen Ant
“Go to the ant, …consider her ways and be wise.”………Proverbs 6:6
Early morning and Aegraine walked the top of the city wall, scanning the horizon and taking in the beauty of new day. A light breeze moved the air and below in the city and out to the harbor, working folk moved briskly with their tasks. Here some rolled barrels to load a cart, to the city. Others carried racks of firewood on their backs, moving as if they were stick bundles with human feet. All moved with a purpose, that of supplying this city’s needs.
Up here, on the wall was Aegraine’s work. Today she inspected the stonework repaired after the battering in this spring’s conflict.
The engineer stood tip toe, bare feet on grainy sandstone and tall into the breeze, she lifted both arms to the sky. Light wind flapped her short skirt and tugged at the hem of her plain cotton shirt. She was poised as if for flight. Thinking like an ant.
How can I leave this work, this little space in time I enjoy so much? Will I be like the ant, one of those insects ever toiling, constantly on the move? I am about to move, like a new hatched Queen Ant, wide translucent wings flitting in the sun, before my mating flight. Time is almost upon me and this thing, this taking to wing will change me, station and body and name. I am drawn to him and yet, there is this bit of regret. I will be different and who know will I ever be up here on the wall edge, walking the stonework. What happens in flight, do ants know beforehand? I have some idea, but no certainty. A good mate is not to be ignored and like the insect, instinct tells me just go, take off and soar.
I do not look back and I count the days until my own type of mating flight, human style. Thereafter, I expect to change. To be changed. The next generation waits its turn and like the ant, bringing them into be is part of life.
One day I will be like the Queen Ant I found when I was little, hidden under a rock. In her palace, fat and old, she reposed surrounded by her many decendants. New little Queen Ants moved , flitting their wings awaiting their winged companions and another cycle of mating flights.
I am like the Queen Ant. I will soar and remember all that is now and about to be. This world is wonderful and I am beyond joyous to be in it. Mine will be the best mate for me and life goes on. “Look to the ant..” says the book. The patterns of love and life continue and I am one with it all.
She ran along the wall rim, over carefully inspected cap stones, hands on the wall, she cart-wheeled and flipped, almost weightless in the clear air. Her bare feet danced atop the wall, where anyone might see. This day etched in her memory, for the days and years to come.
Back on the ground, Dmi was watching. He would remember this sight, as well.
“Go to the ant, …consider her ways and be wise.”………Proverbs 6:6
Early morning and Aegraine walked the top of the city wall, scanning the horizon and taking in the beauty of new day. A light breeze moved the air and below in the city and out to the harbor, working folk moved briskly with their tasks. Here some rolled barrels to load a cart, to the city. Others carried racks of firewood on their backs, moving as if they were stick bundles with human feet. All moved with a purpose, that of supplying this city’s needs.
Up here, on the wall was Aegraine’s work. Today she inspected the stonework repaired after the battering in this spring’s conflict.
The engineer stood tip toe, bare feet on grainy sandstone and tall into the breeze, she lifted both arms to the sky. Light wind flapped her short skirt and tugged at the hem of her plain cotton shirt. She was poised as if for flight. Thinking like an ant.
How can I leave this work, this little space in time I enjoy so much? Will I be like the ant, one of those insects ever toiling, constantly on the move? I am about to move, like a new hatched Queen Ant, wide translucent wings flitting in the sun, before my mating flight. Time is almost upon me and this thing, this taking to wing will change me, station and body and name. I am drawn to him and yet, there is this bit of regret. I will be different and who know will I ever be up here on the wall edge, walking the stonework. What happens in flight, do ants know beforehand? I have some idea, but no certainty. A good mate is not to be ignored and like the insect, instinct tells me just go, take off and soar.
I do not look back and I count the days until my own type of mating flight, human style. Thereafter, I expect to change. To be changed. The next generation waits its turn and like the ant, bringing them into be is part of life.
One day I will be like the Queen Ant I found when I was little, hidden under a rock. In her palace, fat and old, she reposed surrounded by her many decendants. New little Queen Ants moved , flitting their wings awaiting their winged companions and another cycle of mating flights.
I am like the Queen Ant. I will soar and remember all that is now and about to be. This world is wonderful and I am beyond joyous to be in it. Mine will be the best mate for me and life goes on. “Look to the ant..” says the book. The patterns of love and life continue and I am one with it all.
She ran along the wall rim, over carefully inspected cap stones, hands on the wall, she cart-wheeled and flipped, almost weightless in the clear air. Her bare feet danced atop the wall, where anyone might see. This day etched in her memory, for the days and years to come.
Back on the ground, Dmi was watching. He would remember this sight, as well.