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Trillium
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Idaho, USA

0 posted 2007-05-21 07:45 PM






Seventeen Year Cycle

The forest looks so calm, serene,
But underneath the ground, not seen,
The nymphs of locusts, who dug in
In nineteen-ninety, now begin
To make their way, some night in May,
Back to the surface, where they'll stay
Until they've mated, egggs are laid,
Then they slowly start to fade.

They swarm the trees to shed their skin
And let their large wings then begin
To dry and strengthen in the air.
By dawn, they're flying everywhere.
The males tend to be clumsy though,
So many of them fall and go
Into the streams, to feed big fish
And turtles too, enjoy this dish.
The creatures of the forest floor
Will also eat them by the score.

The wild birds gobble all they can,
Helping out the world of man,
For cicadas, millions strong,
Sing an overpowering song!
You can't escape, don't even try
And they'll be here till next July!
How very glad I am to be
Living in part of this country,
That does not have to bear the fate
Of dwelling in a locsut state!

But after all is said and done,
The eggs will hatch and every one
Will drop a nymph, who'll burrow deep
And seventeen year cycle keep!




Betty Lou Hebert


© Copyright 2007 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
1 posted 2007-05-21 08:29 PM


One of life's mysteries.  I too have never lived where they abide and am intrigued.  Well done.  Joyce
Trillium
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2 posted 2007-05-21 10:19 PM


Dear Joyce:  I guess the cicadas are due to emerge most any night now.  It must be pretty awful until they are gone again.
Thanks for reading.

Love
Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

pegasus111
Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219
ocala, fl, usa
3 posted 2007-05-23 06:01 PM


a well crafted informative piece dear lady. thanks for sharing

the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost



Trillium
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4 posted 2007-05-23 07:02 PM


Thank you pegasus!  I assume you are not troubled with cicadas where you are?

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

Beasley
Senior Member
since 2003-11-28
Posts 682
Cheboygan,MI USA
5 posted 2007-06-03 03:48 PM


This is incredible. This is so wonderful to be able to read something this enjoyable and to learn something, too. Thank you so much for all that you give!
Love, Barb

PhaerieChild
Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon
6 posted 2007-06-03 06:25 PM


This is great! I lived in Oklahoma during one of their cycles and it can get deafening. I am stunned at how much noise they can generate and you are so lucky not to have to live with it. The first time I ever heard them was in Las Vegas, Nevada about 1993 or 94 and you could hear them above freeway traffic. It was amazing.
Jess
Member
since 2006-06-06
Posts 243
Washington
7 posted 2007-07-13 09:21 PM


I love the story as well as the internal rhyme
midnightblues
Senior Member
since 2000-07-01
Posts 1597
Singapore
8 posted 2007-07-14 01:58 AM


Oh wow, I didn't know that.. Well done!

Love,
MiCheLLe

If there cannot be equal in affection, then let the one with more be me - midnightblues

Trillium
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9 posted 2007-07-14 03:30 PM


Dear Barb:  Sorry to be so long answering your comments on this. I was ill for awhile.
I do appreciate your readin and your always "wonderful" remarks.

Love
Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

Trillium
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10 posted 2007-07-14 03:31 PM


Phaerie Child:  Thank you so much for commenting. I have never been around the emergence of the cicadas, but have had many people tell me how annoying and loud they are.

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

Trillium
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11 posted 2007-07-14 03:32 PM


Jess:  Thank you for your nice comments and also for reading.

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

Trillium
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12 posted 2007-07-14 03:33 PM


MiCheLle:  Thanks for reading. Nice to hear from you.

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
13 posted 2007-07-15 05:24 PM


http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/c700fl1.htm

To see and hear types of cicadas.. copy and paste .. thank you Trillium nice work. latearrival

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
14 posted 2007-07-15 06:13 PM


I remember 2 or 3 years ago while I was taking care of my ill sister that it sounded like a train going by continuously at night..I  would go to the front door and check on the noise...or it sounded like a tractor trailer parked in front with its engine running.  I am assuming the 17 years is different for different parts of the country then~~

M

Trillium
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15 posted 2007-07-17 07:37 PM


latearrival:  Thanks for the link!  We do not hav cicadas here in North Idaho and after listening to them, I am very grateful!

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

Trillium
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16 posted 2007-07-17 07:39 PM


nakedthoughts;  As far as I know, this type of cicada has either a 13 or a 17 year cycle and is confined to some of the couthern states and the middle states.  We don't have them here in the western part of the states.

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

ChristopherRobin
Junior Member
since 2007-07-13
Posts 11
UK
17 posted 2007-07-18 08:10 PM


Very good, truly a well organised poem it’s a great and a unique topic to write about and makes perfect sense, excellent well worth any one taking time to read.
Trillium
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18 posted 2007-07-18 11:55 PM


ChristopherRobin:  Thank you very much for your laudatory remarks!  I do appreciate them.

Betty Lou

Betty Lou Hebert

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