by Ester Johansson Murray
My country friend Comes bearing gifts: Large, brown eggs with thick shells, Tactile pleasure to cradle one in my palm, Then, gently poached, a pleasure to eat. She labeled the jelly jar "Honey from our Hives". I envision green fields of alfalfa with throaty, blue flowers providing the amber, viscous sweet; then, worker bees gather, transport, store it in hexagonal wax cells of honey-comb. Their hive a communal home, with an insect society so complex I can't understand it. But this I know, savoring honey is like partaking of a sacrament. Here in town, I watch the furry, brown and orange workers fly in from God-knows-where. They harvest the blossoms, gather honey, wallow in pollen, then, airborne with cargo they vanish. Except, if day fades, some bed down among stamens and pistils— sleep-over guests.
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About Ester: Ester Johansson Murray is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and taught at Cody High School for several years. Now in her 90’s, Ester was born and raised in the Cody area, the only child of Swedish immigrants. She is a member of Writers of Wyoming (WOW) and has had three stories published in the WOW Anthology, From the Heart.
Ester has served the Park County Historical Society as Secretary and President. She was recognized by the Wyoming State Historical Society with an award for her three books and several published articles on Wyoming history. Ester is a member of “Westerners International,” an organization that enjoys and studies the culture of the early American Western Frontier. She is generous with her time in researching history for others.
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QM, thank you for posting this wonderful poem. I hope readers look at your
“Ode to a Black Bee,” as well! Ester, my dear friend and writing companion, you always inspire me with your words in any form you choose to use!
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I always love seeing the world through the lens of this exceptional woman and talented writer. Thank you for sharing.
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I can just hear your voice when I read your poem….love ya Arnetta
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Ester, I wish I could meet you in person. I think of all you have seen in your lifetime. Thank you for sharing your poetry on red Ravine.
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Ester,
I am a little late in commenting here, but love this tactile poem. Your words create so much texture in my mind and body. My favorite line is: “savoring honey is like partaking of a sacrament”. As the world becomes so virtual, we need poems like this to get us back to the earth and the visceral connection with it….so thank you!
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