APIAN SWELLS WITH ENTHUSIASM  EVERY NEW DAY,
WHEN THE HORIZON GLOWS LIKE FLAMES OF  FIRE.
THE UNFOLDING AURORAL BRILLIANCE, OVER TAMPA BAY,
PRESENTS A PANORAMA OF WHICH WE NEVER TIRE.

THE BRACING BREEZE OF SPRING STIRS TO ACTION,
AS IT RUSTLES AMONG THE MANGROVES AND PEPPERTREES.
ON THE SHORELINE, ON A DISTANT LANDSCAPE ATTRACTION,
SCENTED PALMETTO PRAIRIES ARE ABUZZ WITH BEES.

AN EXPOSED NEST OF WAX, BEES AND HONEY
IS DISCOVERED, ATTACHED TO A STURDY OAK LIMB.
WORKERS ARE BUSY HARVESTING, ON THIS DAY SO SUNNY,
PRIOR TO DEARTH'S ADVANCE, WHEN SUPPLIES ARE SLIM.

AMONG THE BLADES OF PAMPAS GRASS AND ROOTS OF FERNS,
YELLOW JACKETS BURROW AND BUILD A PAPER NEST.
THE STING OF THIS INSECT THROBS AND BURNS,
YELLOWJACKETS ARE OFTEN VERY DANGEROUS PESTS.

ON A GRASSY HILL OF HARVESTED BALES OF HAY,
A BUMBLEBEE COLONY IS SUDDENLY REVEALED.
THE SIZZLING SOUNDS OF ALARM MEANS DO NOT DELAY
IN BEATING A HASTY RETREAT THAT SAFETY YIELDS.

A HORNETS NEST, HIGH IN A MAPLE TREE SWINGS.
THEIR NEST HANGS GRACEFULLY ON A SUPPORTING BRANCH.
SUNLIGHT GLINTS UPON THEIR MEMBRANOUS WINGS.
THEY DO NOT ATTACK UNLESS PROVOKED BY CHANCE.

RED AND YELLOW WASPS, CICADA KILLERS, AND MINING BEES,
CHALLENGE THE ACQUIRED TALENTS OF THE BEE MAN.
EXTEND-A-POLES HELP REMOVE THE HIGH ONES WITH EASE.
THE GROUND DWELLERS ARE TREATED WITH DUST FROM A CAN.

EVERY SUNRISE IS A WAKE-UP TO SURPRISING DISCOVERY.
ADVENTURE BECKONS APIAN TO ROUND THE BEND.
THE ENDORPHIC MIND RECEIVES EXHILARATION RECOVERY
WITH EVERY EXPERIENCE FROM BEGINNING TO END.

WHEN THE MASTER BEE SPECIALISTS COMPLETED THEIR DAY,
THE FIREBALL SUN WAS DISAPPEARING BEYOND THE BAY.
SPARKLING MOONLIGHT GLITTERED ALONG THE BRIDGE,
AS THE FLORESCENT BAY CITIES FADED BEYOND THE RIDGE.

THE JOURNEY HOME WAS PLEASANT, WITH MEMORIES REFLECTED
UPON VOIDS OF BEES AND THE HONEY THEY HAD COLLECTED.
ABOVE ALL, THERE WAS A FEELING OF SUCCESSFUL DELIGHT,
KNOWING WE GAVE OUR BEST FROM SUNRISE UNTIL NIGHT.

RAYMOND MILLS, BEEKEEPER