In the shade of an oak an old woman smiles as
families admire her field of sunflowers
but no one gets close because hundreds of bees
are weaving through to drink
from the black pool at the center of each
then from his mother’s hand a boy breaks
to run down the rows and she screams
afraid he’ll get stung but he goes on
touching the leaves the furry stalks
he shouts Bees don’t sting me they love me
having raised three sons of her own
the old woman smiles knowing the bees
knowing they are too drunk on nectar
to mind another little boy
falling in love with the world
This poem first appeared in Fourth & Sycamore (2017).
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Bradley Samore has worked as an editor, writing consultant, English teacher, creative writing teacher, basketball coach, and family support facilitator. His writing has appeared in The Florida Review, Carve, The Dewdrop, and other publications. He was named a Joint Winner of the Creative Writing Ink Poetry Prize. www.BradleySamore.com
