Moving the Hive Mind

by Anna Roscoe 

the hive has relocated 
itself again
i’m used to it by now 
the swarming weight 
near my heart
and anyway, the cloud 
is still, sluggish 
from the chill
no need to worry
i can just reach a hand 
into that dull buzz
move it all from sight 
once more
in crawling handfuls
carefully, gingerly
i keep them for the honey
but you shouldn’t
get too close
if one memory starts 
to sting 
then the rest will soon follow
​
Anna Roscoe's work appears or is forthcoming in Going Down Swinging, swim meet lit mag, and Aniko Press. Her writing often uses natural elements to explore emotions and memories. She grew up in Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung country, but now lives in Asia.