The Rose and the Bee

"Well, what tidings today?" said the bee
   To the burgeoning rose.
"You are young, yet already you see
   Much of life, I suppose."
Said the rose, "Oh, this life is so filled 
   With astonishing things
That I think I could not be more thrilled
   E'en if roses had wings.

Three lupins have bloomed by the pond
   Since last you were here;
In the nest of the blue-wrens beyond
   Three nestlings appear.
A gay butterfly slept by my side
   All yesternight thro'
Till dawn, when a thrush hymned his pride.
   But how goes it with you?"

"There are great things at hand," said the bee.
   "Change comes to my life.
In my hive in the woollybutt tree
   Strange rumors are rife.
The old queen grows restless, I fear,
   She is planning to roam;
And I must adventure this year
   From the old, safe home.

"Old Black Wallaby's limping, I see,
   Trap again, I suppose.
Life is full of mischance," said the bee.
   "Ah, no," sighed the rose.
"Despite all the folly and sin
   And the gala and the strife,
It's a wonderful world we live in,
   It's a wonderful life."