There's a beehive in our garden
in a spot we don't use much;
the queen bee found our guinea cage
and set up home in the hutch.
Don't fret, the guineas are gone now,
old age having taken its toll;
so we'd moved the cage and its contents
to consider its future role.
It's now outside my study,
directly under the sill,
so I can watch their comings and goings
through my trusty fly-proof grille.
They're amazing little critters ~
industrious and strong;
they work all hours among our flowers
then head back to the throng.
Some days they number thousands,
but others only few;
the nicest thing that I have learned:
their target isn't you.
The clothes line stands quite near them
but when we venture out
to hang our washing up to dry
it's their own 'biz' they're about.
They're fuzzy, fey and feral,
and yet they all withstand
the indignity of a clumsy perch
when the rest come in to land.
I love our little tennants,
and watch them every day;
but one day soon, the whole commune
will up and fly away.
A contest entry
- things seldom noticed - by sharptooth.
540 points, ended February 24, 2009, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
-
Very cute write. It's always great to read a poem that offers a perspective different than that of most people, and this one offered some nice insight.
-
This is one of the nicestest pieces of work I have read at this site. It reminds me of James Whitcomb Riley which I am certain you have never heard of. He wrote kind reflective pieces like this and is known in our state as the Hoosier poet. Indiana is known as the Hoosier State. I cannot complain about one rhyme. This is why. i read this to my ten year old daughter and she loved it bee-ing a little person about bugs and animals. All I can say is that if it is good enough for her, by golly, it's good enough for me. RC
-
bumble bees are pretty cool - the fuzzy ones, at least. yellow jackets are a bit intimidating.
i enjoyed your use of subtle rhyme here and there, it made the poem seem warm and sunny, and i just wanted to be outside, in the summer, after i read it.
Adding your comment:
