Blue, Green, Red and Purple: Ariel: To A Wasp One Fine Summer Morning
Betty Collins pays poetic tribute to a wasp that came in search of cheese.
So very skilfully you carve a piece of it,
Just , and only just, not too big to carry.
And off you go, in staggering drunken flight; -
Then back, swift and fleet as an arrow..
Back in seven minutes.
Where have you been in seven minutes?
My tea grows cold; and still you work:
Carve, hover, balance,
And off
..
After seven minutes
Back!
An age ago I sat, tea and bun and book in hand
When frenzied, threatening, attacking, frightening me
Out of the blue you came,
O wasp!
Then suddenly I knew it was not my juicy flesh you wanted
(Did you whisper to me?)
It was CHEESE on my bun
(Did you whisper to me?)
I moved a few broken bits to the far side.
Aah!
Aha!
And now I am transfixed!
What kind of love has such a powerful driving force
to do what you have done and still are doing?
Do you sling a girdle round the earth
in seven minutes?
