The Crickets Sang a Dirge Tonight

Trashing that which should be treasured, is a crime no man-made scale can measure.

 

It was too late for the living to resume their rendezvous with life,

There were voices in the wind challenging the stillness of the night;

But they were not the only ones---

The earth groaned in agonized vexation

While sorrow licked her salted sores.

Didn't you hear it in your dreams?

The whisper of twin souls fleeing without limbs,

the offended trees agitating loudly in protest

at the horror they'd been forced to witness.

The moon glowed, the blood reflected it's light;

and the crickets sang a dirge tonight.

 

There was a calm birthed of chaos's incidence,

The heavens crack, seeking to mete vengeance;

Where have the stars gone?

Have they fled in order to mourn?

For it seems the rumbles in the clouds have made the announcement

And the firmament release softly, slanted sheets to pay their last respects.

But the blade of illumination that slices through the air

Cuts out more vividly, the de-reverencing of the fair.

When the clueless nocturnes wonder at nature's unrest in muted fright,

The crickets in unison sing their dirge tonight.

 

Later, when the earth has swallowed back what is hers’,

When the sun remembers to rouse from slumber

At the return of the stars;

Later, i will tell you of heartache's tale

And of bitter memories which turn the tongue stale.

We will journey down the path, where selfishness acquaintances conscience's void

Through the winding roads of their intimate communes

To the junction of their marriage, where two possibilities lay destroyed.

You will join me will you not?

As we flashback to the moment

When she turned her back and lightening flashed

As tormented were her very own by the elements.

I will tell you of the doubled infant cry

Which the womb's ears attempt to deny,

I will tell you of the rape of the right---

But first, let the crickets sing tonight.

Author's Note

Please let me know what kind of emotion (if any) it strikes in you. Thanks.

Reviews

[Eddie Phillips]

This is very lyrical. As you read it the weight of it hits you. I was in awe of the scope of it. I really enjoyed this poem. As a poet you are in your own class. Great Poem

[Rita L. Sev]

We will journey down the path, where selfishness acquaintances conscience's void...

I get a sense of a grand injustice, a selfish act that has enormous consequences, but the perpetrator does not see this, or perhaps does not care... The emotion I get is anger, from your word choice in the final lines.

[Kwiksie Ifediora]

and you are most right...on all counts! I do appreciate your reviews Rita...thank you.

[Angel]

Oh!
It seems that some terrible tragedy has occurred...murder, perhaps? Involving children?
Nature herself is protesting! It is almost as if I can hear her...she is mourning, mourning...
And it makes me sad...

[Kwiksie Ifediora]

you're right Angel, it is a terrible tragedy when people discard precious living beings like themselves, just cus they were unplanned for or for whatever reason. The heavens weep and nature mourns when the irresponsibility of some translates to the death of newborns.
I hope it didn't make you too sad though.
Thanks for reading.

[Angel]

Darling, I'm a seasoned veteran of the war against abortion. It is a war we are losing, unfortunately...
I suspected it was abortion you were writing about. And it breaks my heart.
At the same time, though, I am so happy to know that there are still people out there, fighting the good fight!

[Kwiksie Ifediora]

thank you so much zainul, i appreciate the review. :)

[zainul]

I love the role of cricket to indicate night and its phenomena.
Enjoyed reading though its underlying meaning may be revealed through further reading or by the help
of the poet herself.