CICADA AND CIRCE: THEJASWI SHIVANAND Thejaswi Shivanand is a graduate student in evolutionary biology at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore. His work is on the population genetics of tribal populations in India and Africa. He loves to travel, read, write, paint and cook. Next Poem:....................................................................................................................................... Back to Poetry Index

Ides of May are the Cicada's realm.
Countless. Myriad. Infinity.
Beating Wings. Abdominal Wings,
Drumming. Calling. Screaming.
Interesting.
Distracting.
Abominable.
Claustrophobic.
Unquiet woods, Any tree
Emanate a plebeian pitch
A frenzy of febrile Mating Calls
Evening skies of later May darken with
Cavalcades of Capricious Clouds
Rain torrents, torments….
Circean blows, empty shells and a liberating silence.
Metamorphosed and Dead
After a seventeen-year wait.
Fulfilled?
Unfulfilled?!

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