Written for: Wednesday Muse~Cicadas!
“This week the prompt is cicadas. This time of year cicadas are sawing, buzzing, thrumming away.
To me this sound represents the sound of summer, the beginning of the end of summer.
Cicadas in ancient times and cultures represented rebirth, renewal. Beautiful sculptures of colored jade, stone, wood were carved and are now in museums.
Write me a poem about the summer winding down. The last bounty of vegetables from the garden, the days getting shorter. Any signs you see or hear or feel in your part of the country. In just a few short weeks it will be September.
Write about rebirth and/or renewal if you would rather. Write both if you like! Write away!”
We sit, eyes closed,
in meditation.
Up until now, sunlight
still shone when we opened
our eyes. Now sunlight scoots
off, leaving a gray twilight
as we leave.
The one green cherry tomato
has raised a white flag.
Lavender looks like
petrified stems. Only
basil and oregano remain
optimistic–if you can find
them amongst the elephant
leaves and other odd plants
that seemed to spring up
overnight.
But, since summer never
really got underway,
the departing of it
is barely noticeable.
So long, summer. On to the bonfires and falling leaves.
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I willingly cede summer as long as we have a long, lovely autumn.
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The last stanza gives the sense of mono no aware. The signs of the fading of summer that never came. Lovely!
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Thanks, Toni!
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This is such a well-observed piece…it definitely calls up the fall feels. 🙂
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Thanks, wyndolynne!
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I am always a little sad when summer enters it’s own winter years.
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That is a good way of putting it, Ed.
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The second stanza I could wallow in all day! Gorgeous – the whole poem.
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Thanks so much, Margaret!
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This is lovely and wistful Sara! I too especially love the second stanza!
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Thanks, Carrie!
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