Ants in the kitchen

It’s getting warm outside

And the ants are coming in

I’m the type of person that will scoop up an insect and take it back out

But I cannot have ants in my kitchen

It pains me as I put a small line of insecticide on the caulking between the counter and the wall

Knowing they’ll eat the poison, take it back to their nest and die

Killing the rest of the brood as their bodies rot where they lie

Some hours pass and I notice seven of them crowded around the line of sweetened toxicant

While one lone ant stands at the edge of the counter, looking outward, guarding

Blissfully unaware that each brother and sister that returns is an insecticidal bomb, impending detonation

Little ant

How many times has my own ignorance led me to guard something dangerous?

How many people are standing on alert to defend something they claim as righteous, because they’re blind to its shadowed malevolence?

Observing you has been a quick lesson in patience for those who do not know whats behind the barricade will lead to their inevitable snuffing

And I hope that when ignorance paired with righteousness gets the best of me, or gets the best of you, I can forgive myself and forgive you, you can forgive me too

I’m so sorry little ant

But I simply cannot have you in my kitchen