There is a distant look in your eyes

wistful as though you are looking into the distance

in your stillness you are holding a flower

you know the future

you have a feeling of what is to come.

 

A bee swirls around me

buzzing, insistent, sending a warning—

 

        You can do nothing but watch.

 

This is the concept that keeps me in the present

it implies surrender, serenity

the bee continues to haunt —

 

        That’s right, it’s snarls, you can do nothing

        and when danger comes, you will know

        you couldn’t have done anything different

        and when joy comes, the bee continues

        you will think you have a reprieve

        reprieves never last

        they are brief

        and tragedies are eminent.

 

When I gaze into your eyes

I am calmed by your 1891 resilience

you are the daughter who says—


        I understand.

I can feel the air move as the bee comes closer

and you remind me, like the bee, be still.