The Ants – By Isabella Connelly

An Ant brings a crumb so far to its home,

But never one crumb is carried alone.

A community built on what is required,

To help make sure each one is inspired.

Not interrupted by wealth, nor power, nor life,

An Ant will give as much as the other will sacrifice.

For that Ant in the field unknowingly knows,

Of the Ant who traipsed through heavy snows.

These Ants may be different, stronger or weak,

But each Ant has its own experienced, travelling feet.

Responsibility is a quality designed within nature,

To protect that little egg from the hungry mean badger.

For they learnt early on, to lead isn’t to be one among many,

But is to still have the heart to carry home the heavy.

To lead with diversity is to contribute to a home,

And a world that has different aspects that together can be shown.

As the whole that it is with all its faults and imperfections,

The world is just like a puzzle that needs no corrections.

For it only needs views and a different set of lens,

So that the colours can change and you can help in the end.

The Ant always knew that leadership wasn’t a position to gain,

But one’s own responsibility to uphold and maintain.

If only us humans could stop, watch and see,

As the Ants continue to carry crumbs so tirelessly.

Writer’s Statement –

My name is Isabella Connelly, from north west Tasmania. I am 15 years old and have written this poem in response to the question “You can’t be what you can’t see. How do women and non-binary leaders in your community inspire you to make change?”

In this poem the Ant represents women and non-binary leaders who contribute to the community without being asked. It aims to highlight the comradery between them and the strength they gain through supporting and accepting one another. It speaks to how being a boss is different to being a leader and teaches the value of perseverance.

I see parallels between the Ants and the selfless, collective leadership of women and non-binary people, who are quietly making the world a better place. This type of participation and approach to leadership is a source of inspiration for me.

The point of writing about Ants and the natural world is that lessons are everywhere. While it is true that ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’ The simple first step is to simply look around us.