Telling the Bees by Eugene Field
The poem is a nostalgic and sentimental portrayal of childhood innocence and simplicity. It describes a scene where the narrator tells the bees about the death of a loved one, suggesting that even in nature, there is an understanding of mortality. The tone is melancholic and contemplative, evoking a sense of loss and longing.
By Eugene Field · First published 1899 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Nature Writing · 325 words
First lines
OUT of the house where the slumberer lay / Grandfather came one summer day, / And under the pleasant orchard trees / He spake this wise to the murmuring bees: / "The clover-bloom that kissed her feet / And the posie-bed where she used to play / Have honey store, but none so sweet / As ere our little one went away.
O bees, sing soft, and, bees, sing low; / For she is gone who loved you so."
Similar titles
- The House by Eugene Field
- There Was A Boy by William Wordsworth
- The Singing In Gods Acre by Eugene Field
- Long Ago by Eugene Field
- Berangers Ma Vocation by Eugene Field
- My Playmates by Eugene Field
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem reflects themes of loss and mourning, commemorating the deceased with a tone of remembrance.
- Nature Writing — The poem vividly describes the natural setting and the relationship between humans and bees, emphasizing the beauty of the orchard.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and themes of innocence and nature make it suitable for a younger audience.
Tags
Childhood · Memories · Rural Life · Family · Coming-of-Age · Nature · Imagination · Whimsy · Poetic · Nostalgic · Autobiographical · Innocence
What this Textopian page supports
Telling the Bees is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Nature Writing, Children's Literature, Lyric
- Length: 325 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Telling the Bees by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph