De Morte Bombus

On summer's sun-warmed stones
That pave the yard behind our home
Old bumblebee had paused to rest.
It lay there still in evening's chill
No longer moving - we thought it dead,
Then one black leg it feebly moved.
Greek honey with warm water thinned
And laid a drop beside its head.
Down came the feeding tube to drink;
It sucked and sucked and drank some more.
 
So into shelter the bee we took
And left more nectar to give it strength.
We thought by morning it would have flown
But sadly found it lying dead.
We hope we'd eased its final hour
With comfort, food and restful peace.
 
Some act of kindness from a friend
Is how I'd like my life to end.
A little honey and a glass of wine
Then close my eyes for one last time.