Clouds cluster, warn of coming storms. Having been shut in for days, I am anxious to get outside. Trusty camera carefully secured around my neck, hands firm on walker’s grip, I begin my slow stroll through the neighbourhood. A gust of wind disrupts the flight of a bumblebee, and we collide: he striking my cheek. I step back, startled. No damage done.
I follow a walkway, built between the houses, leading to our community center. This route takes me past rows of flourishing gardens – a feast of vibrancy. I slow to watch the bees delightedly dancing from bloom to bloom. At the edge of my friend’s house, I hear the crickets, loud and raucous, as if they know that she is currently away. I pause to listen, surprised to hear such unabashed chirping mid-day.
Lingering, I hope to catch a glimpse of one, maybe even a photograph, but the creatures are securely tucked in the shadows of the overgrown foliage, oblivious to my presence. I capture the flight of a bee, and the elegant profile of a mourning dove, and then turn back. A white winged moth brushes my hand in passing and then stops long enough for me to take a picture. The crickets keep on singing.
Midday crickets sing –
revel in nature’s bounty,
as storm clouds gather.
(Written for dVerse, hosted tonight by Victoria.)
Such exquisite prose. Lovely to read on a packed commuter train heading towards a new pouring of challenges. (And here goes a chirping from a jungle of concrete.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Colin. Glad I could bring a ray of joy into your commute.
LikeLike
Happy to see the results of your short excursion. I find any time outside and touching base with nature brightens my spirit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Always something to marvel at.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the singing of crickets. It’s a sure sign summer is truly over when their nighttime songs aren’t heard anymore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, it is. Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how your prose is so in-the-moment and slice-of-life. Vivid descriptions and evocative images, culminating in your poignant haiku: a lovely write!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Frank. It was fresh in my mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, VJ! 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Way to rock all those hard “c” sounds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, M.J.
LikeLike
This is really sweet! I was nice you got all the other insects with your camera. At least you heard the crickets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mary. All these things made my day.
LikeLike
What a lovely share of your walk and the crickets. A definite reminder to be mindful of nature going on about its business around us. Lovely haiku.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
A beautiful Haibun! It is amazing what we see when our age slows us down enough to listen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so true. I used to walk so fast, no one could keep up. How life changes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the insectoid collisions
LikeLiked by 1 person
All I can infer is that I move so slowly that wildlife think I am a tree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely for you to hear them during the mid-day walk ~ Nice to step outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Grace, always a blessing to be able to spend time in nature.
LikeLike
Beautifully done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Thanks for taking us along on your garden walk. I think crickets are all taught the art of hiding at birth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Beverly. They have a habit of showing up when you don’t want them, too.
LikeLike
Wonderful wandering captured in words and images. I, too, have been housebound for months. Thank God for the internet. I still need a walker, so don”t drive yet, and my camera gathers dust, along with my cane.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel for your Glenn. I was bedridden for 2 1/2 years, and gradually have gained enough strength for short outings. I still use a walker, and haven’t been able to drive for some time, but have a very patient and accommodating husband. On a different subject, I admire your writing but am unable to comment as my computer lacks the supporting software.
LikeLike
This is a lovely snapshot of your walk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jo.
LikeLike
That’s a cracking alliterative title, V.J. and I enjoyed the description in the first paragraph.Although we’re expecting them (the prompt is about them after all) the crickets come as a surprise, ‘loud and raucous’ with their ‘unabashed chirping mid-day’. They don’t like having their photos taken!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kim. They just weren’t being cooperative, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
The prose is so poetic and serves to remind me of the value of those daily walks with all the sense attuned. Perfect haiku with that twist from bliss to the impending storm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Victoria. It was all so fresh in my mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
BTW, I love the title!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
The crickets have been chirping away here, too. Do you wonder if it’s a sign of what the weather will be like heading into autumn? Great capture of the bumble in flight!! I’m happy you are getting out and enjoying 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was nice to get out, even if it was a short stint.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do fill the silence well, when the birds are too hot to sing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they do.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike