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Seventeen Year Cycle
| Corner Pub #3 |
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Seventeen Year Cycle |
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Trillium 
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA 
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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 |
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| © Copyright 2007 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
One of life's mysteries. I too have never lived where they abide and am intrigued. Well done. Joyce |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
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 |
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pegasus111 Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219ocala, fl, usa |
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 |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Thank you pegasus! I assume you are not troubled with cicadas where you are? Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Beasley Senior Member
since 2003-11-28
Posts 682Cheboygan,MI USA |
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 |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
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. |
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Jess Member
since 2006-06-06
Posts 243Washington |
I love the story as well as the internal rhyme |
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midnightblues Senior Member
since 2000-07-01
Posts 1597Singapore |
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 |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
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 |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
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 |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Jess: Thank you for your nice comments and also for reading. Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
MiCheLle: Thanks for reading. Nice to hear from you. Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/c700fl1.htm To see and hear types of cicadas.. copy and paste .. thank you Trillium nice work. latearrival |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
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 |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
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 |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
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 |
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ChristopherRobin Junior Member
since 2007-07-13
Posts 11UK |
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. |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
ChristopherRobin: Thank you very much for your laudatory remarks! I do appreciate them. Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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