To the January Bees of Ms. Hanson's class

A first grade class reading and writing their poetry inspired me to write them this poem. They invited me to one of the girl's birthdays parties later in the week, I brought her this poem as a present.

 

It was more than a privilege

That you bestowed on me,

For the opportunity to alight

In your fragrant company.

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That silent sound of buzzing

Which your graphite stingers combed

Your honey thoughts from head to page.

 All of you inspired me.

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Don’t dull your pencil stingers

On cruel or vacant deeds.

Don’t duplicate the seagull

That gobs most greedily.

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For language, love, and knowledge,

Unlike bits of honey bread;

These have no evanescence.

They sustain eternally.

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Beware the fatal grapevine,

And its fetid buzzword buds;

For those who foist and fall for them:

Have muck for company.

 

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Be attentive of November bees

 As their golden hues do fade.

It’s for you they’ve spent their brilliance,

So you can travel free.

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It is no more a question

Of “To be; or not to be,”

Now the question is one of:

Can we survive with dignity?

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Be interested. Be patient.

Be kind, and be sincere;

Aim your antennae toward these buds,

And happy you will be!

 

Take it from me

An August Bumbling Bee!

 

Author's Note

Don't believe all the negative things you hear about the public school system. In the Brooklyn schools I have observed; many adults could learn from from this young and diverse population.