I don’t recall ever having seen a bee hive
in swarm before.
But in the last few weeks I have seen three.

The first on the north side of Galbamaanup
Lake Claremont with Katie and Sol
talking about all things caring for Country.

The bees hung from a eucalyptus branch
in a loose form of their own making—
of their own bodies.

The next was after leaving a Noongar Land Enterprise
strategy and website launch—how Indigenous people
are caring for Country on land they own.
The bees parted ways for us 
as we slowly left the Bentley Technology Park
in our car.

The last time was last weekend, when Katie,
Shenali and I walked the usual stretch of lake,
talking our usual Saturday morning talk
of that place,
and right where the paths diverge
on the north western edge by the watery paperbarks
another swarm began to fill the air,
flying towards the sun.

The sound of them.
So many wings flitting the air.

In the last few days it’s mostly in the flowers I hear them—
paperbarks and eucalypts—
not swarming—
merely going about their business—
in the light
in the sun.