The Song of the Cicadas

Yesterday there came to me from a green and graceful tree as I loitered listlessly nothing doing, nothing caring, light and warmth and fragrance sharing with the butterfly and the bee, while the sapling-tops a-glisten danced and trembled, wild and willing such a sudden sylvan shrilling that I could not choose but listen Green Cicadas, Black Cicadas, happy in the gracious weather, Floury-baker, Double-Drummer, all as one and all together, how they voiced the golden summer. Stealing back there came to me as I loitered listlessly 'neath the green and graceful tree, nothing doing, nothing caring, boyhood moments spent in sharing with the butterfly and the bee youth and freedom, warmth and glamour while Cicadas round me shrilling, set the sleepy noontide thrilling with their keen insistent clamour. Green Cicadas, Black cicadas, happy in the gracious weather Floury-bakers, double-drummers all as one and all together--- how they voice the bygone summers!