Poetry Sunday 29 November 2015

The Ants at the Olympics by Richard Digance

At last year’s Jungle Olympics,
The Ants were completely outclassed.
In fact, from an entry of sixty-two teams, The
Ants came their usual last.

They didn’t win one single medal. Not
that that’s a surprise.
The reason was not lack of trying, But
more their unfortunate size.

While the cheetahs won most of the sprinting
And the hippos won putting the shot,
The Ants tried sprinting but couldn’t, And tried
to put but could not.

It was sad for the Ants ’cause they’re sloggers. They
turn out for every event.
With their shorts and their bright orange tee-shirts,
Their athletes are proud they are sent.

They came last at the high jump and hurdles,
Which they say they’d have won, but they fell.
They came last in the four hundred meters And
last in the swimming as well.

They came last in the long-distance running,
Though they say they might have come first. And
they might if the other sixty-one teams Hadn’t put
in a finishing burst.

But each year they turn up regardless.
They’re popular in the parade.
The other teams whistle and cheer them,
Aware of the journey they’ve made.

For the Jungle Olympics in August,
They have to set off New Year’s Day. They
didn’t arrive the year before last. They set off
but went the wrong way.

So long as they try there’s a reason. After
all, it’s only a sport.
They’ll be back next year to bring up the rear, And
that’s an encouraging thought.