Departmental Poem by Robert Frost
Departmental
An ant on the tablecloth
Ran into a dormant moth
Of many times his size.
He showed not the least surprise.
His business wasn't with such.
He gave it scarcely a touch,
And was off on his duty run.
Yet if he encountered one
Of the hive's enquiry squad
Whose work is to find out God
And the nature of time and space,
He would put him onto the case.
Ants are a curious race;
One crossing with hurried tread
The body of one of their dead
Isn't given a moment's arrest-
Seems not even impressed.
But he no doubt reports to any
With whom he crosses antennae,
And they no doubt report
To the higher-up at court.
Then word goes forth in Formic:
'Death's come to Jerry McCormic,
Our selfless forager Jerry.
Will the special Janizary
Whose office it is to bury
The dead of the commissary
Go bring him home to his people.
Lay him in state on a sepal.
Wrap him for shroud in a petal.
Embalm him with ichor of nettle.
This is the word of your Queen.'
And presently on the scene
Appears a solemn mortician;
And taking formal position,
With feelers calmly atwiddle,
Seizes the dead by the middle,
And heaving him high in air,
Carries him out of there.
No one stands round to stare.
It is nobody else's affair
It couldn't be called ungentle
But how thoroughly departmental
Muse of the ant compared to the ways of mankind! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
An ant on the tablecloth Ran into a dormant moth Of many times his size. He showed not the least surprise........such a brilliant beginning with lofty theme. It is a beautiful poem composed by Robert Frost.
No one stands round to stare. It is nobody else's affair It couldn't be called ungentle But how thoroughly departmental.a very fine poem of the grear Rober Frost.. tony
This is the word of your Queen.' And presently on the scene Appears a solemn mortician; great poem great write great 10++
Marvelous poem! The rhythm, the melodious language, the depth of observation all turn this poem into an amazing read.
But he no doubt reports to any With whom he crosses antennae, And they no doubt report To the higher-up at court...An ant on the table cloth..... wonderful poem. tony
Robert Frost - one of the greatest! What a depth of observation!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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9/28/2023 11:13:19 PM # 1.0.0.1115
Wow! was this a surprise...will easily become one of my favourites..fabulous! .. :)