The Bees Knees Explained

The bee’s “corbiculae,” or pollen-baskets, are located on their tibiae (midsegments of their legs). The phrase “the bee’s knees,” meaning “the height of excellence,” became popular in the U.S. in the 1920s. Stories in circulation about the phrase’s origin include: “b’s and e’s”, short for “be-alls and end-alls.”

But what is the Bees Knees, this blog wants to know. It is this blog’s intention to stretch, pull, prod, and tickled the word “excellent” until it gives us some answers. (Well, at least some quotable catch phrases.) What makes a poem work—is magic larger than any one answer—but that’s not going to stop us form looking. So put on your dancing shoes honey-makers; it’s time to write some poems.

How Does it Work?

There will be posted:

• a monthly contest (or rather a “theme poem”) with prizes
• a monthly criteria poem (a set of given words or images that the poet must use in a poem)
• and a monthly free-for-all.

You may submit (or not submit) anytime your heart desires. Every poetry-player will be asked to comment on (at least) one other poet’s poem every month.

There will also be monthly writer “helps” given by professional poets and editors; words of wisdom from those who have collect a globe of pollen and turned the dust to golden honey.

The participants will range from students to professional authors.

My main goal is to have fun. This is a poetic speak-easy, where writers kindly nudge each other to keep writing (and to write well). This is also a place where reading is highly encouraged.