The Sand Hill Review               http://www.sandhillreview.org              2011

 

 

 

 

Mourning Tom

 

As I hike the narrow trail

through this bit of wilderness

we used to walk,

a red-shafted flicker

hammers a pine, and

the canyon wren’s descending whistle    

spirals round my head. I stoop

to watch the feral bees

work the Indian warrior,

enter each spike of blossoms,

their hooked feet catching

the toothed petals. Then they fly,

nectar-filled, pollen baskets packed,

off to feed their brood, store

the honey no one will steal.

 

Patricia Zylius