My Mouth Was Wax, My Mouth Was Honey

during such days
of path and vein
stone or vision
something wordless
& near

the humming circle
flowers with lemon-
stained throats

always in the arms
of something
always swaddled

when I reach the hive
bees cluster
a pulse of light
rises into song

(Sara Eliza Johnson, Anne Carson, Jo Shapcott, Elizabeth Alexander, Mary Szybist, Jill Osier)

Published in Cape Rock.