Flower To A Bee

This is a song I wrote last month for my mother on Mother’s Day. It is based on memories of me with her and in her garden and uses her garden as a metaphor to what she has meant to me. The production isn’t great, I know, but I’m not ready to re-record as I’m working on other songs. Thanks for listening. If you click on cc in YouTube, you’ll see the lyrics on the video. Also, in the video are pictures of our gardens (and some of her moms) and lots of her grandchildren (her other garden).

Flower To A Bee

by Nikki Mische Gothelf
Copyright 2023

I ran secure from your warm arms
When the tree-line hopped to meet the sky
When The sidewalk laughed beneath the puddle
When I jumped in my boots and tried to fly

And I ran straight home to you
When the magic went away
Tomato soup and grilled cheese warmed me through
When you tried to mend my day

Have I told you that I’m happy?
I know I’m luckier than most
I see the wonder all around us
I’m not meaning to boast
Its something that I’ll always see
Like I’m high above the trees
Did you know You gave this gift to me
Like a flower to a bee
And because of you I’m always free

At dusk In your garden
Lying on my back, I was alone
Singing twinkle to the dancing stars
YOUR garden was now secretly OURS

I would later wish for Wonder Bread
And bologna sandwiches instead
I shunned the harvest that you offered me
I dreamed of something less

In the end, I needed more than less
Or less of that and more of you
I manifested all the berries I once ate
At your mother’s garden gate
And I hope you can see
How your garden lives in me
I’m trying to tell you that you mean the earth to me

Have I told you that I’m happy?
I know luckier than most
I see the wonder all around us
I’m not meaning to boast
It’s something that I’ll always see
Like I’m high above the trees
Did you know you gave this gift to me
Like a flower to a bee
And because of you I’m free

Responses

  1. The first time I listened to this song, I did so without the lyrics. I just listened to it again with the lyrics and I’m so glad I did. It really spoke to me. I was deeply moved. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is still a familiar favorite of mine, as it was my Mothers. I used to tell everyone, that my Mother could make me as bologna sandwhich and it always tasted soo much better than any I could make for myself. All my Mother ever wanted for her children, was for them to be happy. My Mother would understand your sentiment as I do. Beautiful.

  2. Lovely tune Nicole and that lyric “have I told you that I’m happy” really got me. Very open and honest and simple. I love that! I’d lose the sound effects. They got in the way of a lovely song for me. Sorry!