summer at the apiary
an infestation of bees, sun like pollen
scattered everywhere. wax cells
of honeycombs, white globs of royal
jelly, glass jars of gold, damp petals
of sweat sticking skirts to skin,
even under the trees.
she says,
i heard what happened
at the party,
even if it didn’t, & you know:
we made a bet that you would
& i won. you always do
lose. even in your new jeans,
silver eye shadow like the moon on your lids.
tom petty on the radio honey
put on that party dress &
lemon drop shots,
scorched throat,
sugar shining on your wrist.
dreams of queens’
parthenogenesis. a heart
full of bees, a white frame
of bone. a drone in the weeds.
omens on sidewalks and street signs,
clouds and bad weather. a pay phone’s
dial tone. a dead bird. a sheen of bees
like sequins, beading
the honeyed hive of ribs.