to discern the flow, the way that land likes to be

what grows where, what light brings joy, what soil

what drainage. all this, and counting bees

fills spring days. five kinds this morning:

lady bumble with her pockets full, honeybee

sweat bee, fly bee; we bend astonished

closer to nonchalant antics of one

small chestnut furred beast, down

among early ground cover. we do not know

says shawn, how life works. he is transplanting

beans today, and full of plans for a bee zone

at his beloved’s home. not for honey or commerce

but because of the pleasure of enumerating

bees, of being near these

terrifying little avatars of mystery.