Still Life With Bees

Out of control
from the bees who’ve nested
in your glove

Fling it off then reach
with a bloated hand for the doorknob
to get out of there

Bypass
the kitchen sink
the cold water and antiseptic

Run to the easel
Try to paint the flinging
and the urge to do it

Call it
“Art by accident and misadventure”
It’s crude and fascinating

Makes a splash
Go buy some more gloves
and try to replicate it

Stick your hand in a hive
over and over again
React in paint

The word “pain”
makes up the greater part
of the word “paint”

Some days
it’s the whole word
and the whole world