The Bees.

In the street outside a school
what the children learn
possesses them.
Little boys yell as they stone a flock
of bees
trying to swarm
between the lunchroom window
and an iron grate.
The boys sling furious rocks
smashing the windows.
The bees, buzzing their anger,
are slow to attack.
Then one boy is stung
into quicker destruction
and the school guards come
long wooden sticks held out before
them
they advance upon the hive
beating the almost finished rooms
of wax apart
mashing the new tunnels in
while fresh honey drips
down their broomsticks
and the little boy feet becoming
expert
in destruction
trample the remaining and
bewildered bees
into the earth.

Curious and apart
four little girls look on in fascination
learning a secret lesson
and trying to understand their own
destruction.
One girl cries out
"Hey, the bees weren't making any
trouble!"
and she steps across the feebly
buzzing ruins
to peer up at the empty, grated
nook
"We could have studied honey -
making!"

by Audre Lorde

 *             *              *

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

- Robert Frost


Tailpiece

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Suma was quick to get the pedestal fan repaired and a new light put in the guest bedroom, with the help of Suraaj.

Heard PJ Kurien's webinar on 'Democracy and Reading' after which was mine on 'India China clashes'. Thankfully, the system had no glitches. I spoke for about 45' and the house was, then, opened for the question-and-answer session. Many participants had queries and I was able to tackle every one of them. Phew!