The Bee
by: Arthur Guiterman (1871-1943)
Little chemic-artisan,
Doing work no other can,
Deep in dewy nectaries,
Petal-walled refectories--
Apple-blossom, columbine,
Rose and lily, all are thine,
Yet, though oft thy weight they bear,
Dost thou know how they are fair?
Thine are sun and Summer breeze--
Hast thou aught of joy in these?
Pollen-yellow dumbledore,
Leave thy clovers tumbled o'er!
What's a lily? What's a rose?
Down the golden lane he goes,
Drowsing forth a prosy song,
"Honey! Honey!" all day long,
Wasting life's diviner sweet,
Hiving food for drones to eat.
Oh, thou silly, silly bee!
Idle here and learn of me!
Its been a while since I have posted on here, but I am glad to say that all three of my small colonies have survived the winter and are doing well, all out and about even on a rainy day like today has been. There is a lot of activity and I can see plenty of pollen coming in. No idling here! There has been plenty of blossom around during April, with the brambles, cherry blossom, plum trees, apple trees, blackcurrants and various other trees in the neighbourhood in full blossom, so there has been plenty for the bees to do. I hope the nectar flow this year is better than last year, but the weather hasn't been too promising so far. I also had a couple of visitors today, who are local people planning on keeping bees in top bar hives, and we talked bees and about meeting up to talk and support each other, and I have started a yahoo group for local networking and to organise get togethers etc. And thus South Wales Natural Beekeepers is born!
