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Mar 19, 2023Liked by Suzanna de Baca

Love this ode to bees! 🐝 Have always been amazed by them. I knew a woman administrator who wore a bee pin everyday- reminding her that they should NOT be able to fly and yet . . .

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Thanks, Peg!

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So touching. When my shoulders ache, I will remember those tiny wings!

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Thank you, Diane! So much inspiration in nature.

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Feb 11, 2023Liked by Suzanna de Baca

Concur--inspiring. Please, ma'am, may I have some more? Kept bees for a few years and intend to return (when I find time. . . .)

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Yes. Stay tuned. I'm obsessed with bees. And cactus. And a few other things right now.

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Feb 11, 2023Liked by Suzanna de Baca

We all know female worker bees! Especially the single Mom doing all she can to keep her family together. The bees are a wonderful example of how difficult life can be for so many just trying to make ends meet. We can all help out! We can help be the village!

Thank you for this inspiring poem! Sharon

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Thank you, Sharon! I just found out that in fact what we think are female bees are asexual. Isn't that interesting? Drones are indeed male and Queens are female. I love learning more.

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How long have you been writing poetry, Suzanna? When I saw this one is your "Hometown Poem #100," it made me wonder if these have all been in your adult years, or earlier, too? (Am I allowed a couple more questions?) What gets you started on a poem, and how long do you typically spend in finishing one? Poetry is an art form that baffles me. I love reading it, but I just can't seem to make it happen myself.

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Hi Chuck: As a reporter, you are allowed to ask an unlimited amount of questions. And you would even if not allowed. LOL. I have been writing poetry since my teenage years. The Hometown Poem series probably dates back about 5 years. I have many series or groupings. Anything can get me started. A dull meeting, for example. No, all kidding aside -- I am often inspired by a phrase or a vision of something. Sometimes I hear something that sticks in my mind and wants to be developed. Sometimes I read something and a few lines come to me and I jot them down. Sometimes I write it all in one fell swoop (with some refining later) and other times I'll have a few lines and it builds over time. A few I found from years ago and think, oh, that part is terrible, but I like this line, and resurrect it. Now that I am trying to put it out there I am more prone to finish than put it in the drawer undeveloped. Thanks for asking! What is your writing process for columns? How do ideas come to you?

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