REFRAIN: poetry file "Cicadas" by Ross Donlon

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 08-Nov-2011

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Ross Donlon
»
Cicadas
They came to us from far away
their older selves left
like suitcases by the door.
we crunched them as we trod to school
or crushed the shells to crystal
 
when summer broke above the small backyards
and hot wind woke the neighbours’ tree
we caught cicadas clinging to the leaves
shook until they screamed
stripped the fairy wings
(tiny stained glass windows fluttering down)
then squeezed until they pissed
inside our fists
 
once we kept some in a cage
feeding them with boredom
watching as they tried to understand
the metal floor    the sand    and plastic swing
but found them in the morning on their backs
as though they’d crashed
while racing in the dark
feelers gesturing
bodies posed for photographs
 
we went off to explore the choko vines
and trails of rainbows left behind by snails
our petal eyes wide open
our faces pushed like feelers into leaves
(and the mystery of chokos)
still learning how to see


Poet Ross Donlon will be at Bendigo Library on Friday, November 18 from 5.30 to 6.30pm, to talk about his new book, and how to make a “discontinuous narrative” in poetry. 

It’s a free event, but bookings essential: 5449 2700.




































b.Entertained

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