Pool Report
September 19, 2025
Campeche, Mexico
9:08 am
I’ve taken to a morning swim
short breast strokes in Eliza’s pool
before my breakfast of guacamole
from her tree of avocados
that may or may not
fall cracked into a chlorine bath —
after yesterday’s swim I watched
fascinated
as a herd of tiny ants
moved a tiny dead lizard
from one corner to another
eventually dropping the carcass down
the far side of the pool’s flat edge —
I watched each ant
exchange the weight
of tail, legs, torso
frantically in step
latched onto their precious load —
me caring not to witness
the lizard’s final destination
after the drop of what must have seemed
a cliff-side fall
onto surrounding gravel
where all hell broke loose
as the team of tiny ants
scattered, retreated
& I gave up my watch
Joanna Gilman Hyde 