Labor Day 2025

September 1st

No Builders — swinging Hammers — No Postmen — on their Rounds — No Sweepers — brushing at the Curb — No Gardeners — on the Grounds — Our Nation — takes a restful Pause — Save for Workers — at my Sill — With Mandibles — for Implements — And a Commerce — of Anthill —

Palinode

September 5th

The Ants — I could not Reason with — They marched — in black Parade — Through quiet Rooms and Corridors — Their small Republic — made — I let their Armies — roam the Lawn — Unhindered — in the Sun — But when they crossed the Threshold’s line — The Siege — had just begun — I set a Cup — of sugared Death — And turned my Eyes away — Yet heard — in every silent Floor — Their Funeral — Array — The Law of House — is pitiless — Though Mercy — would be sweet — I mourn the Guests — I could not keep — Nor wholly — let them eat —

50% Terri Guillemets

50% Microsoft Copilot

Two true-story poems about some tireless workers, after Emily Dickinson.

terri guillemets, microsoft copilot, poems, observations, nature, insects, ants, hard work, holiday, guilt, emily dickinson

Labor Day 2025: A True Story