The other day I went outside
To get a whiff of spring-filled turf.
I got an urge to lie on the ground,
And get eye-level with the earth.

So this I did with carefulness,
As not to disturb the busy ants,
Or hurt the harmless little bugs,
Or squash the fragile, blooming plants.

Once I was down I looked around;
A surprising marvel met my eyes,
For the way we normally see all things
Is not the view where the insect lies.

A tiny world is what I saw,
A valley (actually a shallow dip),
Was surrounded by volcanic hills
And red ants like lava spilled o'er the lip.

Winged insects were fluttering about;
Small plants like trees were scattered round.
A beetle wandered aimlessly,
Seeking what was not yet found.

I saw the burrow of a worm;
A honeybee gathering its pollen;
A butterfly among the flowers,
And a cricket for a mate was callin'.

That other day I went outside
And lay down on the spring-filled turf,
I had the most wondrous experience
To get eye-level with the earth.