On the front lawn ravaged by drought
A shower of rain brought the flying ants out
In ones and twos they skyward flew
To start up nests for queen ants new.

But nature comes in to take a hand
And protect what is left of our sunbacked land
Soon hungry crows arrived for a feed
To be joined by doves of the same need.

As the ants emerged from their underground nest
The ravenous birds gave of their best
The few that escaped were caught in the air
By all kinds of wild birds flying up there.

When the feast was over, no ants could be seen.
The quickest massacre there ever has been seen.

From the collection - RHODESIAN REVERIE
Memories by Robert Heinrich Percival Cornell
Contributed by his grandson Rob Staniland
Email : Rob