Sources

Our Manchu Cherry bush

was glorious this spring

in sudden bursts of pink

and one lone bee

       a hermit?

       an outcast?

       an eccentric?

came back time and again

to partake of

pink flowerbud essence.

All things are ephemeral

in this world

but the pink blossoms

of Manchu Cherries

exceedingly so

and the wind soon

scattered the tiny petals

to all four corners.

Now the bush sits there

glowing green with

pushing leaves

no longer pink-confettied

yet that persistent bee

(did I mention how BIG?)

still comes around

like a frustrated lover.

 c.1979