The Feel of the Ball As It Rolls

Consciousness in insects strikes a nerve—
Well, more than one, but not that many.

It seems it doesn’t take many nerves,
Not trillions, for sure, to be conscious.

Awareness—birds do it, bees do it,
Cephalopods in the seas do it.

What’s special about bat qualia?
Wouldn’t you rather become aware

You were a bee playing among bees
Pushing and rolling the tiny toys

Someone in the lab donated you?
The absorption of play is often,

For humans, the best release from games
People play. What’s the release for bees?