Busy as a Bee
We watch and wonder
where bees go all day,
flower petal after petal,
nectar after pollen.
They clean the hive
(as all good bees do),
nurse the young and
build wax combs.
Defend the beehive,
make it hotter or colder,
tend to the queen,
forage and support.
And we watch and wonder
do bees dream of flight
to another place far away,
a holiday from living?
where bees go all day,
flower petal after petal,
nectar after pollen.
They clean the hive
(as all good bees do),
nurse the young and
build wax combs.
Defend the beehive,
make it hotter or colder,
tend to the queen,
forage and support.
And we watch and wonder
do bees dream of flight
to another place far away,
a holiday from living?
This poem is copyright (©) Peter Devonald 2026
About the Writer
Peter Devonald
Peter lives in Manchester UK where he contributes to Stockport/ Manchester Post, Culture Supplement and poet in residence Haus-a-rest. Winner Waltham Forest Poetry 2022, Heart Of Heatons Poetry 2023 & 2021, joint winner FofHCS Poetry Award 2023, Forward Prize nomination 2023 and two Best Of The Net nominations 2024. Widely published and anthologised. Won 50+ film awards, former senior judge/ mentor Peter Ustinov Awards (iemmys) and Children’s Bafta nominated. www.scriptfirst.com
