Bees

evil insects
necessary of botany
you haunt my dreams still
even though unwarranted
since we rarely had a run in
or should I say sting in
I remember that time
running barefoot through the yard
just trying to help my grandmother
by taking out the trash
early summer heat drew you out
for sweet dandelions.
I probably hurt you more
considering my country feet
were your death sentence
I tried hard not to cry
as i dumped a bag as large myself
and hobbled back to my grandpa's lap
so he could spit out a
warm wad of his favorite tobacco
to waste between my toes

Or how bout that time you got my cousin?
I was a bit older
grimaced at her shrill shriek from the pool
I remember the bittersweet slime
streaking my teeth
grinning at my mother
who dared me to chew this time
someone had to take the sting out

but your innocent accidents
aren't what haunt me
but your ducking and dodging
and the promises from my father
that you wouldn't attack
as i stood paralyzed on our porch
petrified, holding my breath
eyes squeezed shut
trying to find some little bit of courage
to sprint off the porch
past those large swinging archs
where every now and then
you would pause
to hover right in my face
almost as if taunting
I wanted to smack you right from the air
but could never over come
the fear of your fury

I know now you don't even have a stinger.

Elizabeth keeps her words in the rain

Dark clouds on the horizon
some say a storm is brewin'
though you couldn't tell
from the the dust dancin' round
this barren ground
despite desperate choreography
from the natives

its been years since this land
was wet from her kiss
spent years surviving
in the silence of her skin

Honesty is in the air
hangs thick like summer humidity
wind 's pickin' up
runs over through around
those cactus thorns
like an old lover's tongue

Elizabeth keeps her words in the rain
bare feet pound out rhythms
not knowing what they're asking for
fingers wiggle at the sun
beggin' for poetry

be careful what you ask for
they say when it rains it pours.