FROM THE GREENROOM

Rachel Baptiste, an African woman who sang

In Dublin in the 18th Century, has been waiting 

For me to write about her. To pass the time, she

Has struck up a friendship with Daniel Wildman 

A Jew who washed up in Georgian Devon;

He could talk to bees and also listen. (Bees

Took Wildman seriously but were never,

Despite general opinion, bound to obey him.

They just liked him.) 

When Plymouth farmfolk died, Wildman 

Would pick the best time to inform the bees

Who, everyone knew, resented not being told.

If my father were alive I'd tell him of these two:

Ms. Baptiste, standing  on the stage at Smock Alley 

The guttering candlelight making her yellow silk dress

Seem to flicker while she sang "Fair Kitty,

Beautiful and Young," and Mr. Wildman wondering 

If he and nine bees could pray as a minyan.

Some time later the yellow dress and the singer 

Might have appeared in a story my father told 

Or it might turn out that in Devonshire certain bees 

Still rest on the Sabbath.