Ants, Poetically

Nature as strength

Dawn Nelson
2 min readSep 7, 2024
One of many fields of ants. Photo by author.

As the weather changes, so do our lives. Just as I was planning for one thing, a completely different circumstance unfolds. This is how a person discovers just how resilient they actually are.

I am one who looks inward to draw strength and inspiration. And like a mirror, I rest my eyes on nature as I contemplate life and reality.

What comes to mind now are the moments I sit outside and watch the ants at work.

Ants are organized and purposeful. Even in their exploratory mode, they have structure and protocol. Whether seeking food or other materials, you can easily witness their diligence and commitment to hard work. It’s just what they do. Most of the time, without anyone noticing (as far as humans are concerned).

Underground, they build a fortress that is so well protected, you don’t even know it is there.

Symbolically, they are ones always preparing for winter while others lollygag.

They are ready for the seasons.

As I now must be.

My biggest challenge is an entirely new life season is unfolding, the likes of which are completely unknown. There is no weather forecast, only a bunch of known unknowns and unknown unknowns with moderate to severe risk factors.

Perhaps not unlike any other life circumstance, I suppose.

So, I will build with the same integrity as ants.

Essay 094 of the 0100 series and Morning Bulletin #3.

Copyright Dawn Nelson 2024. All Rights Reserved.

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Dawn Nelson

Artist, writer, strategist ~ writing creative nonfiction, memoir, essay. WIP: 0100 Series & a morning bulletin. Sometimes a Sunday Dispatch. Sometimes all 3.