Ants in the Asphalt

There they were
ant colonies in the cracks
of a paved, asphalt road.
They were clearing their tunnels
forming the ring around the nest
without consulting DOT,
civil engineers,
city planners, or building inspectors.
They didn't care
how many cars drove by.
They didn't care that I walked by
and took a look at their nest.
They were busy.