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Cicada Song

December 28, 2016 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell

black-princeThe rhythmic hum overhead gains pace

Thrumming waves filling the sky

A din that builds and builds

Like the thick, hot air

This is the summer of my childhood

Eucalyptus scent, thick with cicada crescendo

These creatures celebrating life, celebrating freedom

cicada-coming-out-of-groundAfter being hidden for so long in a dusty tomb

Encouraging their army from the dry earth

Tiny holes, like a teenager’s pockmarked skin,

Showing where they abandoned the vault in which they had been suspended

cicada-shell-on-grassCrusty armour discarded underfoot, on blades of grass, on bark, on leaves

No longer needed, as the cicadas unfurl their gossamer wings

Glistening and glinting in the sunlight

To reveal their alliance: Black Prince, Green Grocer, Yellow Mundy, Floury Baker

cicada-wingThese were the corps I knew from childhood

But now I only see the dark royals

Making their way towards the sun, and their mates

To join the chorus overhead

An insect choir in unison, celebrating life like there is no tomorrow

This is the sound of summer: the cicada song.

Filed Under: Creative Writing, Johanna's Jottings

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Johanna Baker-Dowdell

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Business and Baby On Board


A mum's bible on starting out and succeeding as an entrepreneur.

T-Changers


The adventures of a wannabe hazelnut farmer, a writer who loves to bake and their two sons who moved to the island state for a simpler life.

Johanna’s Jottings


Here you'll find snippets of creative writing, experimental words and the odd published piece.

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