Honey Money

Honey Money, A Pantoum
by Elizabeth Southwood

The woman on the hill makes a little money
by growing thyme and lavender.
She has beehives for bees who make honey,
sells sweet honey to the connoisseur.

By growing thyme and lavender
she receives soft, muted-green dollars.
Sells sweet honey to the connoisseur,
many dollars for medium-sized jars.

She receives soft, muted-green dollars,
dull, smooth nickels, thin silvery dimes.

Many dollars for medium-sized jars.
Worth every cent, the honey’s sublime.

Dull, smooth nickels, thin silvery dimes,
she collects money - green, silver, copper.
Worth every cent, the honey’s sublime.
Busier, she looks healthier, tanner.

She collects money - green, silver, copper.
Her money feels honest because of the honey.
Busier, she looks healthier, tanner.
She plants her yard with flowers loved by the bee.

Her money feels honest because of the honey.
Her list of customers grows steadily.
She plants her yard with flowers loved by the bee.
Her honey’s flavor improves constantly.

Her list of customers grows steadily.
She plants more flowers every year.
Her honey’s flavor improves constantly.
Thick and gold on toast, it has no peer.

She plants more flowers every year.
She has beehives for bees who make honey.
Thick and gold on toast, it has no peer.
The woman on the hill makes a little money.