Siddartha  

I found the hole

near the entryway to

our old barn

once a house to the

Mountjoy family here on

Mountjoy Mountain

where my parents

built our new home

in the countryside of

Virginia.

Immediately, I rummaged

about for a stick

that would fit the hole-

went about cramming

it in to reveal the

bees within-

I placed my bare foot

over the hole

feeling their quick stings

upon the sole of my foot.

Why did I do such a thing

I can not say-

my grandpa had visited

that day

I had been left with a

feeling of wanting

attention to some degree.

Quickly, I ran inside

screaming for my parents-

my father came

asked what the ruckus

was about-

I simply swung my

swollen foot up into

the air

after having jumped

to my bed for safety.

Hurriedly, he went for aid

brought back wet tobacco

in paste form

he had made from his

very own cigars

placing it carefully

upon the ten or more

brutal stings upon my foot.

Angered, resentful

yet loving and caring

he was even though I had

been so foolish as to

step on a bees' nest-

perhaps he knew

I had done it on

purpose

were my thoughts

as it seemed he knew-

yet it was like

that moment

in the middle of the

night when my stomach

cramped, running for the

bathroom I threw up

on the floor just before

reaching the bowl.

Then, again, awakened

from his Papa Bear sleep

he was angered, resentful

yet loving and caring

gagging at the cleansing

of his daughter's mess.