Bee Song

for Edna St. Vincent-Millay (and for the bees)

They said I was an optimist

when I was very small,

and I believed them when at four

it's hard to judge at all.

I grew believing everything

and trusting with my heart

every word and every song

and every dream i sought;

Until the day the summer turned

and bees were everywhere,

And I thought softly to myself,

It's time for a new friend!

Optimistically approaching,

I squatted near the bee

and reached my ever-trusting hand

toward hope of amity.

I stroked its bristled back

its black and orange hue,

I moved my finger carefully

with love I always knew.

But then it turned and stung me

and swiftly flew away,

yet, I could not betray the truth

for all my days of pain.

So I grew in the secret self

where nothing can be tamed,

while one to another they remarked,

"She just isn't the same!"


(1981)