Genesee Park: Wasp Nest
The Evergreen Echo
On a humid, July afternoon, Genesee Park was closed for Humans, but not for Wasps. In fact, Wasps were always allowed and welcome in Genesee Park; after all, as all Wasps knew, they were the superior species. Humans were lacking in many ways, including but not limited to: an alarming lack of antennae and legs, no talent towards flight, and most abhorrent of all, not a single stinger upon their backsides. Yes, Wasps were clearly the most amazing of Mother Nature’s creations.
Buzzing around an unattended bottle of soda, Wasp #134—a.k.a Zippy—plotted for the domination of one such place known by the Humans as “S Bradford St Trl.” Though Zippy was not well versed in the ways of the Humans, he assumed these strange words to have a hidden message. “S” for Super, “St” for Stupendous, “Trl” for… well, Zippy wasn’t sure about that one. Perhaps the Humans had misspelled some shorthand for “Terrific,” (they were awfully daft) and whoever this “Bradford” was did not seem to be around much these days.
No, Bradford’s Super, Stupendous, Terrific Kingdom was abandoned and ripe for the taking. Zippy needed only to bide his time, to consider his infiltration, and to conquer Bradford’s Kingdom with the utmost skill and precision. He had been mapping it for days, drawing out his blueprints in the sand of the so-called “playpark,” though the tiny Humans were adept at destroying his careful designs. The map was simple: one squiggly line surrounded by short trees with dark, flat leaves. Bushes lined the floor of the hardened path, providing shade. Flowers sprouted amongst the foliage, making the kingdom quite beautiful, but inviting Zippy’s worst enemies: the Bees of Bumbleton (his wings twitched at the thought). Luckily, he had not spotted the dreadful Bees in a few days, as they were often put off by the rising temperatures of summer.
“S Bradford St Trl” Kingdom
The Evergreen Echo
Yes, Zippy thought, this fine July day would be perfect for his glorious undertaking. No Bees, no Humans, and nothing to stop him from laying siege to Bradford’s Kingdom. But he had to move quickly, silently. One false buzz could alert any number of his enemies. And a great many enemies he had. The Bees, the Crows, the Squirrels, just to name a few. And of course, the Humans seemed particularly offended by Zippy’s presence, always screaming and swatting at him, and all because he had been known to sting a few people in his prime. They were so judgemental.
Zippy moved carefully towards his target, across the lush grass, zigzagging between the trees, landing, oh so carefully, upon the big green sign that marked the entrance of Bradford’s coveted Kingdom. He gazed upon it in awe. Though he had spied upon it extensively, the Kingdom never failed to bring tears to his compound-eyes. The beautiful shaded path, the gloriously green flora, the buds of little flowers. It smelled of lavender and rain, the wind brushed through the trees, and the leaves sang.
Zippy wiped away his tears, steeling himself. There was work yet to be done.
He buzzed down to the Kingdom floor, keeping his antennae alert to the sounds of any Kingdom inhabitants. He knew there to be a few members of the Finches and Crows that had been spotted in this area, but for now, the Kingdom remained quiet. He moved ever forward.
He sought now the Throne of this land. He would sit upon it and name himself King Wasp of Bradford’s Kingdom (his first official decree would be to name it something more exciting like Ultra Fun Land or Wild Wasp Water Park).
But something rattled in the distance, a sound Zippy had heard only a dozen times before. He quickly buzzed away to a high branch in the kingdom’s great trees. The sound chimed again. Yes, he knew this sound intimately. A jingling key. The Humans used these terrible objects to open the doors to their nests. Didn’t they know an open hole would be far more efficient!?
Zippy stood waiting, watching. A Human came through Bradford’s Kingdom, the villain, whistling some horrible tune, likely a warning call to all the creatures hiding amongst the foliage. They rattled their keys some more, reaching into their pouch to produce some rectangular, alien device that showed them pictures—no doubt evil symbols and images. They continued through the land, crunching leaves underfoot, swatting at innocent Gnats, and pushing branches and flowers out of their way like they were nothing.
Zippy buzzed in horror. How could this horrible Human ruin his great plan! It was all wrong, Bradford’s Kingdom was now alive with sounds and creatures, stirred from this human’s horrible song and light box. The Gnats had awoken the Spiders, and the Spiders awoke the Squirrels, who awoke the Birds. It was awful! Terrible! Zippy barely managed to escape with his life after a Finch had fixed him with a hungry stare.
Back home in the Wasp Nest, Zippy considered the foes he was no doubt up against. Next time he would fight back.
Next time, he would bring friends.
The Evergreen Echo
Genesee Park
An American Sonnet
Genesee Park spurns me like an avoidant lover
Partitioned off by fences, construction on her field,
GP, can I call her GP?, rebuffs my every attempt
At entry, I walk around her treeline and evaluate,
And find that no amount of ‘scuse me’s will get me
Past the armed guards (construction crew), so I walk
Home in disappointment, tote bag smacking my thigh.
But GP, in all her mysteries, still sends me her love.
Walking to and from her, I saw: a bus driver dancing
To Beyoncé, two labs—one black, one yellow—wrestling
While their owners talked, and a dozen men playing chess
On a sunny, green lawn. Strangers happy and joyful.
GP, one day, I will grace your cool pastures and walk
Your paths, but for now, I enjoy the journey and smile.
