The Bees Work in the Rain

The bees work in the rain. Some climb

Into the orange of poppies, some

Into the blue and purple lavender.

So cold, so wet so late this year.

We have the Winter blues in June,

While elsewhere draught and fire say

The future's now. Do not begrudge the rain,

We whisper to our consciences, which will

Not hear. I dive into the weeding,

Get wet and chill and caked with mud.

But it's all right, as everything

From peonies to roses now

Is bursting into bright, and bees

Work in the rain and don't complain,

Must move the nectar now into the hives.

hans ostrom 2022