Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TELLING THE BEES (A COLONIAL CUSTOM) by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE

Poet Analysis

First Line: BATHSHEBA CAME OUT TO THE SUN
Last Line: TELLING THE BEES.
Subject(s): BEES; INSECTS; BEEKEEPING; BUGS;

BATHSHEBA came out to the sun,
Out to our walled cherry-trees;
The tears adown her cheek did run,
Bathsheba standing in the sun,
Telling the bees.

My mother had that moment died;
Unknowing, sped I to the trees,
And plucked Bathsheba's hand aside;
Then caught the name that there she cried
Telling the bees.

Her look I never can forget,
I that held sobbing to her knees;
The cherry-boughs above us met;
I think I see Bathsheba yet
Telling the bees.



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