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   b e e    b e a r d    s o n n e t

--- T O M   D E V A N E Y


                              for Hope Ginsberg

The woman's face is covered in a growing bee beard. She's standing in boxed-in space, not exactly still, moving

with the friendly jerk of a Super 8; The performance art of an old farmer. Despite a Politics that must be aware of the threatened bee population-
Odd swarm, asexual attraction; The grace, control not to scratch her head, or break out in song. Nevertheless, she is signing a silent version of what turns out to be:
"The Sunny Side of The Street." Imagining the proud showmanship of her voice,
the fragrant charm of a Flapper: "Just direct your feet, to the sunny side of the street." Generous, tender, crude human hive, face open to, mind full of the noiseless,
endless poetry of May bees singing.

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published in association with the |
university of pennsylvania's kelly writers house |