The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Colin, the Allergic Bee

Colin is the strangest of bees,
He’s afflicted by weird allergies.
So, when he settles
On any petals
He’ll cough and he’ll wheeze and he’ll sneeze.

For him spring and summer are hell,
Can’t stand the sweet, flowery smell.
With one sniff of flowers,
He’ll be sneezing for hours,
His eyes and his whole face will swell.

When he flies round pollen filled skies,
Tears stream from puffed up, bloodshot eyes.
So, he goes out no more,
‘Cus his eyes get so sore
And he can’t blow his nose as he flies.

The other bees all give him abuse,
‘Cus each day he’ll use the excuse,
"My nose is so runny,
I cannot make honey."
They all say, "As a bee you’re no use!"

So, the bee with the flower allergy
Found life a complete misery.
While others fetched pollen,
Alone would sit Colin.
How sad could a honeybee be?

‘Til one day, a gang of wasps came
To steal honey, yes that was their aim.
Colin guarded the hive,
One bee against five,
Determined to thwart their little game.

Though he knew that the odds were unfair,
He fixed them with a puffy-eyed stare.
Then said, with a sneeze,
"I’ve a dreadful disease,
Though with luck, you won’t catch it from there."

They screamed when he stood in the light,
His face such a terrible sight.
They said with a buzz,
"Don’t give it to us!"
Then turned tail and flew off in fright.

Now Colin’s a hero amongst bees,
They all say, when they hear him sneeze,
"His face may look funny,
But he saved our honey,"
They agree, Colin is the bees’ knees.

About the Writer


John Morris

In 2003 John Morris (or Mogs) got early retirement from his job in IT because of failing eyesight. He began writing more regularly, joined two writing groups and now performs at open mic events and the odd festival. In 2018 Black Pear Press published his book ‘Poems Your Parents Won’t Like’ and a year later his children’s novel ‘Griff’ was also published. He is currently working on another poetry book for children.