Cicadas

For 17 long years they stay In limbo, underground, But when, at last, they do emerge, You’ll know that they’re around. Cicadas noisily arrive And swarm in our surroundings. We’re powerless to stop them, With their loud and constant houndings. But there are clever people Who don’t try to overlook them. Instead, they figured out some ways That they can spice and cook them. They fry them up to get some crunch Or sprinkle them in stews. For chefs, a free ingredient Means there’s not much to lose. So gather those cicadas As they crash; I’ll be impressed. But if you serve cicada toast, I will not be your guest!