Bumbling Bees

We have a colony in our tit box!

Bombus hypnorum

have taken up residence

in our tit box.

The birds have flown as

I watch the male

Tree Bumblebees

in small swarms,

hanging out

at the nest entrance

waiting to conquer

queens.

Waiting to impregnate

them with a future.

Their time is limited,

Bumblebee nests don’t live for long,

they die within a few months.

After that the new queens

will fly the nest

to hibernate in the soil;

and the circle turns.

 

16/05/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Siddhartha Chatterjee]

Firstly, my apologies, I've been out of touch for a while for personal reasons, hence the late response.
I loved the music of this piece - creates a sort of rhythm in my ears. The imagery too is pretty striking and I loved the play of words.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah I see, many thank yous Sid.

[Fay Slimm]

Transient though the visit of bees your piece of poetic description had me watching their wise intentions to increase their numbers etc with methods which nature approves - gardens are such surprising places if we spent time looking for life there as it tries to survive - - thank you for sharing this wonderful bumble of buzzing tale=overs now resident in the once tit-home.............. Fay

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you for reading Fay and for your comment. Our garden is blessed with life.

[Shazbatt969]

The cycle of life, of nature, the tits have flown off but you get to watch the dance of the bumble bee, and the pollinated flowers will bring a plethora of winged and feathered friends, sounds like win - win,

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Oh indeed tis win, win as we watch nature from our window. Cheers S969

[Eilis]

I like the way nature is always surprising us. We set up homes for the birds, but the natural world is malleable and shows up how our vision could be broader. And the bees move in. But, as you remind us, these things are all transient. No matter how important the role of any living thing, it is only a temporary one.

At least, that's where your poem took me, John. Sounds like a lovely view in your yard. Quite peaceful and full of activity. I enjoyed the message in this poem.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much Eilis. Indeed you are so right. Our 'yard' garden is full of joy. So many birds and even foxes.

[Coyote Poetry]

I love nature. I have the bumbling bee in my yard every year. They love the corner of my house. I enjoyed how you described the life of a bubbling bee. Thank you John for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes we have one in our garden and feel so lucky. Saw two woodpeckers, goldfinches, green finches, bullfinches, magpies, a robin, crows, chafinches, dunnocks, a blackbird, bluetits, great tits and a coal tit rhis morning so far. We have a fox and a sparrowhawk who visit from time to time. Cheers Coyote John.

[Lydia Shutter]

Nature is mesmerizing to watch. Bees are so important to the Circle of Life. Many do not realize that. The imagery in this write is wonderful. I had to google "titbox"....I had no clue what that was other than perhaps a brassiere! LOL I enjoyed this write, John. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah Lydi we love our tits this side of the pond. Both!
So lucky as we can watch the Tree Bumblkebees every day as they are on a wall near our patio door. Many thanks Lydi.

[Chris Shaw]

This is quite wonderful for you to witness. Our bee population is under severe threat so anything you can do to help them thrive, so much the better. I love the idea of squatting bees :)

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes we are thrilled and feel blessed to have them. But we have foxes and a wide variety of birds and insects in our garden. Many thanks Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

You have a little nature reserve on your own doorstep. How lovely is that?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

It is beautiful Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Lucky man.

[Chris Shaw]

I've come back for a second read How are they doing John?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah they usually leave in June but they extended their lease and went last week.

[Chris Shaw]

Did you collect rent or maybe honey?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah they are not honey bees but their presence is reward enough Chris.