Not a Flower in Sight
By Kevin Heaney
A honeybee lands on the midtown sidewalk. You break your stride to avoid dispatching it underfoot just as quickly as it appeared. Out of surprise? Out of genuine concern?. Uncertainty permeates your decision making. Foot traffic marches past. In the heart of Times Square, there is not a flower in sight, nothing to pollinate amongst the cacophony of lights, sounds and smells. What could have brought the bee here? Is it common for these diligent workers to take time away from their core function? These questions abound as you raise your eyes to survey the overwhelming surroundings. So many other drones of a different species found themselves away from their flowers on this very block. You are bewildered by your reaction to the bee. What was your core function? This creature is a nuisance to you, and a threat to some in the environment it calls home – and yet here, away from the flowers, you are stuck pondering their existence. Your attention pivots away from the vacationing drone and penetrates inward. Quit your job. See the world. Sink your teeth into life and suck out the experiences until your gums throb. Only once you arrive home does an internet search reveal that several NYC rooftops house apiaries.You are crestfallen upon learning that the inspirational bee was simply lost or escaped, yet your earlier thoughts remain.You imagine shedding your core function like your new insect friend. Responsibilities stripped clean off yourself like pollen from their legs. You smile.
Author’s Note: “Not a flower in sight” was inspired by an actual experience I had leaving the office. After a particularly busy/stressful day of work, I nearly stepped on a honeybee in Times Square (NYC). I was so startled by the creature appearing seemingly way out of their natural habitat that I began ruminating on the nature of work.
