Marilyn Humbert

Siren's Song

In the week before Christmas, we are blessed with steady daytime temperature around 30C and calm, azure sky. This peace is shattered by waking cicadas.

clicking tymbals
ebb and flow –
summer sizzle

Battalions of boys emerge from surrounding streets armed with lid and jar. They search systematically, scanning weeds, grass and low growing bushes for molting nymphs.

kids stomach-flat
in the hot red dust –
the siren’s song