I Am an Ant

“F” your fruit!”

You don’t like me, even though I hold no ill will toward you. I see you coming, as I scramble over your fruit bowl.

I don’t have ears, so I can’t hear your curses. Your recriminations. Why do you hate me? What have I done?

I should run, but an overripe banana gives me pause. My two stomachs rumble from its sweet, cloying call to my antennae.

You didn’t know, did you? That I have two stomachs. One to hold food and the other to share with my brethren.

Can you say the same? Do you share your food? From what I’ve seen of you and yours, I think not. For shame.

In fact, where I am lean and strong, you are soft and pliable. How is that treadmill working out for you? Hmmmm?

Go ahead. Hate me. You’re just lucky I’m not a Bullet ant. I would sting the living crap out of you.

A phone call distracts you. Time to leave this bowl and move on Ahh. Crumbs on the counter. A good nosh. See how you like that.

Up ahead, a compadre signals to me. “Yo! Better pickings, over here.” But, as I hustle like a mofo, I see you reach for something.

Still on the phone, you are relentless. I hate you. You suck. As fast as I am, you are gaining on me!

Shit! A cat! I can’t outrun you both. Or, that blunt instrument. Please don’t hurt me. I have a family.

Sherry McGuinn is a longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.

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