Sunday Mini Challenge ~ The Secret Life of Bees

Greetings my fellow toads and those who stop by to visit the pond. Today we are talking about bees or I should say, The Secret Life of Bees,  by Sue Monk Kidd. It is a coming of age story of a young girl, Lily, who faces loss, abuse and racism in 1960's southern United States. For those of you who are not familiar with the book I offer a description written by the author.

Living on a peach farm in South Carolina with her harsh, unyielding father, Lily Owens has shaped her entire life around one devastating, blurred memory--the afternoon her mother was killed, when Lily was four. Since then, her only real companion has been the fierce-hearted, and sometimes just fierce, black woman Rosaleen, who acts as her "stand-in mother."

When Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily knows it's time to spring them both free. They take off in the only direction Lily can think of, toward a town called Tiburon, South Carolina--a name she found on the back of a picture amid the few possessions left by her mother.

There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters named May, June, and August. Lily thinks of them as the calendar sisters and enters their mesmerizing secret world of bees and honey, and of the Black Madonna who presides over this household of strong, wise women. Maternal loss and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness entwine in a story that leads Lily to the single thing her heart longs for most.

             

I have read this inspiring book and saw the movie based on it. It sparked my own memories of growing up in rural Missouri where I saw the results of prejudice. It also caused me to reflect on the deep connections I have with friends and family. Although it is written about women, men also have strong bonds that unite them also. Regardless of gender, connection is a powerful force that helps carry us through whatever joys, stumbles or sorrows life presents us with.

I have supplied a list of quotes from the book as inspiration for your poetry and welcome any direction your muse takes you. Please share a new poem as well as a link back to Real Toads and take time to read the work of your fellow poets.

“If you need something from somebody always give that person a way to hand it to you.” 

 “It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening.” 

“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here.” 

“After you get stung, you can't get unstung no matter how much you whine about it.” 

“Sunset is the saddest light there is.” 

“In a weird way I must have loved my little collection of hurts and wounds. They provided me with some real nice sympathy; with the feeling I was exceptional...What a special case I was.” 

“The body knows things a long time before the mind catches up to them. I was wondering what my body knew that I didn't.” 

“You can tell which girls lack mothers by the look of their hair...” 

“Putting black cloths on the hives is for us. I do it to remind us that life gives way into death, and then death turns around and gives way into life.”

“It was the oldest sound there was. Souls flying away.”