A crack in the concrete patio runs 

from one corner to the other.  

Ant mound molded from dirt and sand envelops 

a section of the wound.  A child 

whose limbs are growing into an awkward age 

drags a hose from the yard.  Shadow cast from her body 

bouys ants upward from their brief rest in the sun,

to drag dead bugs and bits of potato chips home 

faster.  

Slow deliberate dance of the hose

fills the mound to bursting with a rush of water.  Mangled 

ants and sand wash across the patio onto the feet of adults 

that meet the floor from the height of plastic chairs, 

clinging around a card table.