jdb photoStop Over
Near sunset as the bright light fades, both minds and sky grow hazy,
and all the world shifts down a gear, relaxing into lazy.
Just one urgent swirling bee seems bent upon its tasking.
She lunges downward towards my drink, and lands there without asking.
She lowers her proboscis in order to withdraw
one drop of rum and cola that lies beaded on my straw.
A screaming gull unnerves her—sets her angel wings unfurling,
but her frenzied efforts to lift off have set my mind to swirling.
Her movements are ungainly. She leans as though to fall.
Then clumsily, she flies away, colliding with the wall.
I question if she’s sober as she flies off upside down,
digressing over water, then careening toward the town.
It’s probable this summer day under a July sun
has fermented all her nectar and added to her fun.
Her slight detour while flying off to her abode
No doubt was her attempt to have just one more for the road!**
**Can Bees Get Drunk? In the summer heat, nectar can begin to ferment and create ethanol. Bees that digest this fermented nectar will experience the same effects as humans do when they consume alcohol. Also, tree sap, like that of the lime tree, can also ferment under excessive heat leading to crowds of drunk bees. How can you tell when a bee is drunk? Studies conducted on bees have shown that alcohol consumption has a similar affect on bees as it does on humans. When a drunken bee returns to its hive, the guard bees around the hive will identify it by its erratic motion and will not allow it to enter.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Beautiful and informative. What a nice package!
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Thanks, Susan… what we learn from our blogs, both writing and reading them.
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I like the concept of a drunk bee forbidden entrance. Some humans can learn from it.
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Ha. Thanks, Dolly… yes it is a good metaphor…One drunk can spoil the whole place!
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Haha! A hilarious scene Judy. Loved it.
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Thanks, Sadje. Glad the prompts gave me another chance to use this photo taken a few years ago..
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You’re welcome
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As funny as it is, this is another great example of animals (insects) knowing what’s best for the “tribe” and acting on that knowledge. I love it!
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I know.. in their instincts they are smarter than us as we’ve lost so many of ours.
I think intuition is the remainder of our instincts.
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Love the idea of a drunken bee!
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Do you suppose they have headaches the morning after?
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Who knew? Great poem, Judy!
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