Cicadas, Brood X

Seventeen years is
A long wait, though
Love cuts the years.
The roots of wild asters
Were succulent in
Year eight, as were the
Water oaks in 12,
And maple rootlets
In year 15, ooh la la!
Dark memories, the
Many tastes on my rostrum
Sweet, sour, and the
Umami of
Day lily tubers.

I was sitting on a Poplar
Branch, tymbals buzzing
When you landed.
Eyes glowing like
Rubies from Ceylon,
And such shapely legs,
Three pairs of jointed,
Stilts, all intact, not a
Single one missing.
Golden-veined wings like
A Tiffany window
From January 1908.
My heart pulsed in
Need. And your wings
Clicked “Yes, to say
Yes…”.as we coupled
To make Brood XI

Verse-Virtual, August 2021