Simple pleasures

The wonder of bees.

The queen, both slave and ruler.

The drones, for mating, then left to die.

The workers, whose lives number so few weeks

Working to death to feed their replacements.

The colony must live, but no part is important,

The only goal to procreate and expand

To create more and more food

For future generations

No matter what it takes.

To know this is their life

Their destiny, the only thing they know.

To open the hive and watch them with love and fascination.

Gently lifting frames to inspect the laying,

The cells of golden glistening syrup.

Asking the bees to share, never too much.

Just enough for them and just enough for us.

We all partake the diet of pollen and nectar.

In spring the blossom honey is light and fresh.

IN late summer, heavy with august bloom.

The simple pleasure of fresh honey on soft new bread

Do they need my care, are they healthy?

Can I offer my service in return

For their life giving soothing gift?.

In winter keep them safe from storm

or flood or invasion

The simple pleasure of spending time

Shall I now leave them alone

And allow them to simply be, bees.