Back in the corner by the fence - Agnes
first of our roses to come into bloom
her peachflesh petals glowing in the sun
and look - the bumblebees are buzzing madly
to and fro, chasing off competitors
working themselves deep into the matrix
of the newly opened flowers

Here's a bumblebee whose body
is entirely black
a burly native of our region
I wish him all the pleasures
of the day and bless his work
since though we're a month early
and that's worrisome
this sight of bees and blossoms
is truly a delight

Cautiously I bring my nose
up to a flower
and inhale the same unearthly fragrance
that I remember from last summer
it's a scent
unlike any other that I know
no other rose
for all that I enjoy their different odors
moves me as this one does
at my age
it's almost like making love