Taking Chances
January 30, 2008 by Shirley Allard
The bumble bee sits in my hand
And look, he does not quiver
While sweet Olivia’s childish look
As though an animated book
Approaches a curious shiver.
But Grammy, if he stings me now
Won’t that really, really hurt me?
And make me really, really mad
(Her face is growing long and sad)
At every single humble bumble bee?
It’s hard to say, my little one
You’ll know when you are ready
Until that time, back up and wait
With trusting eyes and spaghetti gait
She moves back, slow and steady.
You see, my precious, bumble bees,
Not built for fright or flight,
Are here to bring us wonder and astound
And had they never taken on that daring chance at flight
They surely would have never left the ground.
I know one day with daring heart
In a scary grown-up land
You’ll feel the need to take that chance
And allow some bumble bee to dance
In the palm of your trusting hand.
The chances you take are included in life’s great plan.
I hope you’ll read this to Olivia. It’s beautiful…
Oh, I have. Thanks, Bob.
it is beautiful.. and a real keeper for your grand daughter… but what the h-e- double hockey sticks are you doing holding a bee????????
Well, let’s just say it takes a little trust and a lot of common sense! I wouldn’t try this with a hornet btw!
The most gain is possible where the most loss is possible
You got it!
Wow! Keep this for her to read and see when she is older.
Shirley, this is a real keepsake. I’m presenting you with a reward. Come by and pick it up Poetic Justice
Don’t let auto-correct get the best of you. Sorry, no reward involved; simply an award.
Wouldn’t we all be better if we could take the chances that we once took as children. This is a great sentiment and I love the “spaghetti gait” image. thanks - a fan
Yes, we certainly would. But somehow we let fear rule our lives as we get older and it sinks in that we are not immortal. Still, there is nothing like the feeling of facing our fears…knowing that something could hurt you and finding out it trusts you enough not to.
Harry, I am no longer “getting old”, I am old. 89 coming up next Dec. 27th. Doesn’t mean I’m going to allow fear to enter or rule my life. I fully realize my imortality: it does not depress me, nor does it cause me to fear the inevitable.
Dan. Even if I could, nothing would induce me to take the chances I once took when not knowing any better. Strange, taking chances is what my blog for today is all about.
And, Shirley, it’s a beautiful site you have and pleased to have been led to it, I think by Jo. I’ll be back.
it’s sweet, something that a child or even an adult may read and wonder about, we don’t always take chances even there’s a possibility of no pain
The sense of wonder in this is palpable. My partner was fascinated by bees when he was younger and his mother worried very much to find him picking them up one day!
I like the way this reads like a childhood story. It could be adapted to be the narrative to a children’s picture book. The poem flows with a whimisical air. Lovely.
Hello, here by way of Poets Who Blog to tell you I enjoyed reading this poem. I love the gentle, reassuring tone to it and agree with Sara that this precious poem could be adapted to a children’s book. I can almost see that bee with my mind’s eye - pretty animated with a look that says, “Wow, look at me! Sitting in a hand!” Nose-to-nose they look at each other in wonder! Lovely, just lovely!
Your blogsite has a very serene look and feel to it; very inviting..
Trust is a fragile thing, even coupled to a courageous heart. I enjoyed this poem very much. Lovely.