I watch them whirling
as dervishes across mosaics
of an ancient floor, Scaling mortar
to dance a different shape
beneath my feet

over lilies, tessellated ochre 
and faded blue, In midday heat, 
dust barely rose along Palladius street
I, walking with ants consider them
those lilies, and all the trodden 

steps of Canaanite, Philistine,
Greek, Byzantine, through wars and peace
from fire and final quake. And metres high
above the flat-topped Tell*, a raptor sees all
even ants dancing on mosaics

38 thoughts on “Ants and Mosaics”

1. An unexpected surprise of a poem, Laura, that made me sit up. I’m now imaging ants as whirling dervishes! I love the idea of them ‘scaling mortar to dance a different shape beneath my feet’ and ‘dancing on mosaics’. I also like the use of colour.

   1. thank you Kim – the artwork was so evocative that the poem almost wrote itself

2. It’s amazing the profound metaphors we can “see” in a work of art, as if the artist’s meaning and process reaches out and touches us through it. I love the verses you reference, some that help me in my day to day life.

   ”I, walking with ants” and “And metres high
   above the flat-topped Tell*, a raptor sees all
   even ants dancing on mosaics” — wonderful reminders that put it all into perspective.❤️

   1. and how artwork can even spark a real event in our lives as this one was – thank you for the prompt and hope the verses help

3. A very imaginative take on the prompt. I can see how the poem wrote itself. The image does that to you. I thought your poem was fantastic.

   1. many thanks – yes the artwork really set the Muse alight

4. This is a treat to read Laura. Love the perspective from ants, colors of ochre and blue, and the ants dancing on mosaics. Appreciate the notes as well.

   1. thank you Grace for your appreciation

5. how gorgeous, Laura. And deep. Loved.

   1. many thanks Selma –

6. Micro to macro–the remains and that which endures. Beautiful. (K)

   1. brilliantly observed Kerfe

7. Very nicely done, Laura. The painting does work well to evoke ants dancing. I liked the raptor floating on the air currents seeing everything below… even the ants!

   1. thank you for your kind words Dwight

      1. You are very welcome.

8. Ants do whirl like dervishes when there’s obstruction in their single-minded march!
   Rich imagery and the references make it so evocative.

   1. ants certainly twirl though I believe its to do with messaging by scent marking – many thanks for your appreciation

      1. Yes, of course it because of scent marking.
         Always a pleasure to read your poems, Laura.

9. Nicely done, Laura. This is a great prompt.

   1. yes I liked it too – the kind of prompt that acts as springboard

10. I see it too. That bird’s eye view, the mosaics. Great response to a great artwork.

    1. thank you for your visualizing Sean

11. I love how you invite contemplation on the interconnectedness of human history, Laura… ❤

    ~David

    1. a very ancient one for Israel!

       1. Yep!

12. I enjoyed your interpretation of Alma’s painting with an exploration of ants at an archeological site…sounds like a fascinating visit to Israel!

    1. thank you Lynn – yes the connection came in an instant – and yes too Israel is a fascinating place

       1. I visited Israel in 2014…an amazing journey!

13. Oh, the ants. The ants are everywhere. I like how the poem lifts us up with the raptor that sees us and the ants as part of the same mosaic.

    1. very nice observation Maria – glad you saw the connection

14. This poem is a “wow”. You took me from the tiny to the long view of history. I love the idea of the dancing ants. It makes me think about all that is happening around me that I am unaware of. Thank you for sharing it.

    1. and thank you Ali for such high praise

15. Very interesting take on this painting

    Enjoyed your poem

    much♡love

    1. thank you Gillena for comment ❤

16. I really love the imagery here and all of the interesting bits of history sort of nestled into your narrative too. It adds a lot of depth and texture 🙂

    • Gretchen Venters

    @ GretchenLeary.Wordpress.com

    1. thank you for reading and for your insightful feedback Gretchen

17. I love, “dancing on mosaics”, and all the rich imagery in this poem.

    1. thank you for enjoying the dance

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