Entomophily

By Emma Keany

the closeness of a pollinating bee
finding herself deep, gentle, sweet-smelling
too much honey leaves our mouths dry
hungry for more, so we tear at it
don’t care if we’re stung
you can coat my wounds in your tongue’s nectar
find sugar in the folds of my flesh

does the bee want the flower?
does the flower want the bee?

mutualistic symbiosis: when both desires are fulfilled
the bee, fat and happy and lonely
the flower, soft and glowing and alone
the perfection of their union touted by nature herself
orchids calling to an extinct lover
a monogamy created by evolution

but wasps are pollinators, too.