Late summer ecstasy

The Obon holidays are over and summer is on the wane. Discarded cicada shells, brown and brittle, stud the outside walls of the house. When the sun burns down, as it does most of the time, the buzz of cicadas cascades from the tree tops, filling the valley with sound. All the species have emerged now to join the frenzied cacophony.

The wispy heads of the rice plants are filling out and beginning to droop. Nights are a degree or two cooler. Bitter green fruit appears on the persimmon tree. The farmers' vegetable stands feature nutty, sweet pumpkins and glossy eggplants, more black than purple. The first fall spiders sit in the center of webs woven under the eaves and between branches.

Last night, clouds gathered at dusk, lit up from behind by bursts of light. Thunder rolled, then fat drops of rain began to fall. A great arc of lightning crossed the sky and thunder crashed. Rain fell in torrents. The peals and flashes continued, then gradually retreated, leaving only the drumming of the rain.

This morning began cool and fresh and quiet, with rain on the leaves.

When the sun comes out, the cicadas wind up to ear-splitting ecstasy.

--Julian

Comments

[adekun]

[c’est top] and still so humid. :-|