There are surely wonderful metaphorical possibilities when thinking about a creature that hides out underground for 17 years, and then emerges into daylight only to immediately ditch its body for a new version that flies, sings and makes babies.
As I write, I'm thinking that I identify more with the underground life than the above ground life, for one simple reason: food. Who cares about flying or sunshine or making babies when weighed in the balance with food???
I'd happily spend my days in my kitchen -- and often do. At the end of June, I'm not working for a while. What do I have planned? First a party to celebrate, so plenty of cooking for that. Second, the following week and a half spent cooking so that we can take massive amounts of food with us for a week at the beach.
And I'd happily spend dates with my sweetie procuring food -- and often do. Our idea of a regular date is a lovely outing to WalMart. For a special date, well. Maybe a trip to Winchester for ripe papyas. Maybe a trip to the African grocery. Or to the Pakistani grocery. Or to H-mart. Or maybe the produce auction so we can return with 15 pounds off spinach and 15 bunches of radishes. Now that's my idea of a date.
And sunshine? Well, my plans for the next sunny day involve working in the vegetable garden, produce junkie that I am.
Tomorrow is a birthday party. I am quite looking forward to procuring hamburger and carrot cake makings, then turning all that into a feast.
That's what cicadas do underground, it turns out. I always thought that they just sort of waited, but they tunnel and find food and eat! My heart is with them. I really don't have much understanding of why one might even wish to transform into a flying, singing, sunshine-loving creature.
great capture. I like the textures of the insect "shell" and the leaves. A thoughtful commentary. I hope that you enjoy all the shopping and food prep.
@summerfield yeah. I was assuming to end the piece with some witty comments on WHY they need to shed those exoskeleton (after all that eating you'd outgrow your clothes, for sure),but I was too tired to make it funny.
There are definitely times that I would love to emerge and shed my body although I don’t know that I would want to wait 17 years to do it! Fabulous photo and very detailed
A wonderful capture and narrative - we are still waiting here in Middle TN (I'm not a fan - as I recall from 17 years ago, I scream a lot when outside)
A favorite memory from my childhood — collecting these little exoskeletons — sometimes attaching one with cicada still inside to the screen of the front porch and waiting for it to grow and emerge. Great shot of this!
May 30th, 2021
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