OUR BACKYARD WORLD The grass is a busy thoroughfare. A red velvet mite climbs a grass blade, and two minute black ants scale the arid cliffs of my right big toe. Suddenly their world shakes as I flex my foot to warn them the mountain will move soon. They

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Name
Wendy Blaxland
Location

Wahroonga NSW 2076
Australia

OUR BACKYARD WORLD

The grass is a busy thoroughfare.
A red velvet mite climbs a grass blade,
and two minute black ants
scale the arid cliffs of my right big toe.

Suddenly their world shakes
as I flex my foot to warn them
the mountain will move soon.
They scurry off. Two more lives saved.

Next task? To use an ancient bone
buried by a long-dead thrifty dog
as home for a tiny succulent.
broken from a flourishing group.

The new sprig’s called a pup–
yes, seriously.
I pack in good black soil,
gently water it in.

May a pup, two ants
and a red velvet mite
enjoy their day in
this world they share with giants.