On the Meadow, By Charles Simic

With the wind gusting so wildly,

So unpredictably,

I’m willing to bet one or two ants

May have tumbled on their backs

As we sit here on the porch.

Their feet are pedaling

Imaginary bicycles.

It’s a battle of wits against

Various physical laws,

Plus Fate, plus--

So-what-else-is-new?

Wondering if anyone’s coming to their aid

Bringing cake crumbs,

Miniature editions of the Bible,

A lost thread or two

Cleverly tied end to end.

From “Jackstraws” by Charles Simic (Harcourt Brace: 86 pp., $22)