Bee Encounters

A few weeks ago I found this quote in a meme on Facebook. I loved it and shared it to my feed, because, bees!

I remember when I used to see a bee and go, YIKES, a bee! And now I’m all, oh wow, a bee. Hi! You ok there? Need anything? Can I get you a drink? A cushion? Wanna borrow the car? (@tracy_thorn, She’s Magic & Midnight Lace)

Anyone who has been paying attention to the decline in honeybee population and who knows how vitally important these marvelous creatures are to our food supply and quality of life, probably gets it.

About a week ago, I had a bee encounter. I was just about to get into my car when a bee buzzed around my head. I wasn’t afraid. I’ve never been stung because when they’re around, I stay calm and still until they move on. This one was really close and taking its time. I felt wings, or maybe feet (?) on my cheek. I spoke to it quietly, calling it sweetheart, thanking it for visiting and asking it to please move away from the car door because I didn’t want it to be trapped in the hot car with me. And then it left.

Last night I watched “Jupiter Ascending” starring Mila Kunis as a young woman who finds out she’s the genetic reincarnation of intergalactic royalty.  It’s a great space opera with a little bit of romance and enough CGI destruction and fighting to make everyone happy. When Jupiter finds out she’s royalty she has an encounter with bees. They swarm around her and move with her as she waves here arms in a delightful dance. Sean Bean, one of her alien helpers  tells her, “Bees are genetically designed to recognize royalty.

I thought about my recent bee encounter. I’m not saying I’m anything special, but I decided I needed to write a poem. Since I seem to be in Haiku land lately, here’s what I came up with.

Her wings brushed my face
A fuzzy buzzy flyer
Honey maker’s kiss

Bee happy folks!

Postscript: I checked with a friend who is a writer, teacher and beekeeper. The bee that visited me would have been female, so the haiku has been modified!