The curtains part And, for a moment, I get to fly To feel the sun Touch another's face Know the precious freedom of being here
(Poem written in response to the prompt “curtains,” by Kathy Jacobs.)
I’ve been fascinated with the emerging cicadas this week. At first, when I saw only one, started to wonder if it was lonely. Then slowly there were more, and finally lots more. I knew soon it would be cacophony of sound and then, after mating they would die.
There more I contemplated what was happening, it seemed they were here to mirror our own journey. The limitations and the possibilities. With cicadas, I can step back and see the whole story. So it is with reverence I think I’ll be writing more about cicadas.
In the meantime, can you find your own mirror in nature…something you can see the cycle of? Can you consider learning from that which we declare less than us?
So many ways to look at cicadas, and other creatures in nature. It’s no surprise that you chose this point of view. And, and aside, I felt a little sad that I will miss their singing!
Love both your poem and your thoughtful question to reflect on!
Having just returned to a new experience of wholeness on my journey of living and dying, you have
again touched my heart.
Love the question of my mirror in nature. A young raccoon traipsed through the yard yesterday and reminded me of Dylan Thomas’s “Fern Hill.” Today you ask something similar. Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means/Time held me green and dying/Though I sang in my chains like the sea.
The cicadas haven’t arrived here, yet. I try not to overthink their cycle – seventeen years underground, waiting. Waiting for what? Simple message for me: don’t wait, live and love now! Thanks for reminding me to appreciate loud insects!!
Thank you for the question and I have always been mesmerized by cicadas. Yesterday I baked some cicada-chip cookies and gave them to my friend Cameron Coats, who is leaving on a dream journey COATSTO COAST to broadcast live via a podcast. Unfortunately, I could not find any cicadas here to put into the batter so I had to use chocolate instead.
PS Cicadas pump themselves up with air and liquid before they can take flight. Oh, if more people could learn that happiness is their own work to do and not something they can buy.
I love you for loving Cicadas, and for constantly looking to learn from life. Xxoo