Be still

I never saw you flinch

Beneath the bees,

Those nervous, frantic

Drones like dainty dancers

Spinning rapid routines

Around our heads

Did not disturb you

Like they disturbed me

For there across the table

You sat, still

Unmoved

Working words

At such an even pace

I must have seen their shape

Push off from your mouth

Into the last lingerings of

Sticky summer heat. 

I watched, mesmerized 

Beads of perspiration 

Transfixed upon your upper lip

Trickle and glisten 

Majestically as you spoke

You were immune to the heat

Cool queen commander 

Of those uninvited dinner guests 

Jerking to and fro

Between us. 

I thought

Their menacing choreography 

Might frighten me

Cause me to jump

Or dropping my fork again

Strike my hand against my plate

Metallic clash. A few times I did

And you sensed that

Your eyes knew it

Since eyes often know of things

Before they're seen.

My identity hung in

My movements

In the words

Buzzing through the air

Like bees carrying them away from us,

Their legs clutching

Their needles poised for attack.

But still you sat

Beneficent goddess 

Your peace

Was a nurse to me;

When I feared those

Thick, sharp prongs

Would pierce my flesh

Like tender meat,

You did not leave me.

Presently 

Amidst the siege 

I recalled an angry body 

An insect

Thrusting into me

As a child

Yellow and black barbs

Flung at me

Until I ran

And I've never stopped running.

You did not run from me

You said, "Be still."

And those words were a salve

As I brought to mind

Past images:

My childhood self

Shaken by the first one's landing;

A young nape of neck

Stung with a fury

I sat here, remembering.

Until

Blinking, it flew away

Finally, it left me

Repeating, "Be still

Be still

Be still." 

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i love how the bees are used here in this poem, the allegory of how words can sting us like drones...
how all of the hurtful words can leave one mark on us that we can't forget, but if we learn how to be still and resistant to what hurts..we can finally find our own peace, regardless of the sounds and stings around us.
j.

[Heather]

Yes, sometimes genuine friendship can heal us too

[Coyote Poetry]

Wonderful use of words dear Heather. Each set of lines make the reader believe and see your words. A amazing and meaningful poem shared.
Coyote

[Robin Dev]

Such a beautiful poem and so well written, Heather. You have a great sense of metaphors and allegories. Loved it.