"Well, what I like best..."  He had to stop and
think.  "...allthough eating honey was a very good
thing to do, there was a moment just before you
began to eat it which was better than when you
were."  But he didn't know what it was called...

~Winnie the Pooh

My flesh dreams honeyed visions
of what is left wanting
as heat rises from my beaded brow
damp hair
tangled from twists in the sheets
My fingers cocked the trigger
and took aim with an empty gun

Battle tossed
I found release with the white flag
after I advanced then fell back alone
Giving up the fight
I turned to surrender
and choked on the "all's fair..." line
having fallen head-first into the jar

But oh yes
that first taste                       was manna from heaven
life buzzing out of the hive
How the hum made the honey run...

So here lies the Queen
honey-combed in her house of wax
but she's not dead yet
Fat on a feast of royal jelly
she buzzes for a another King bee
to fertilize her reverie
for smoke has left her dreamy

Hungry for sleep she exhales at ease
White clover drools from her mouth
as drones guard the liquid nectar
Those amber spoils of war
at the hands of the greedy beekeep
armored in netted hat and gloves
stealing the sweet--safe from the sting

(c) Linda Gayton 2006