cicada shells
what to do
with the urn
Frogpond, 40:3, Fall 2017
Bryan Rickert
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
一堆蟬殼
該怎麼處理
骨灰罈
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
一堆蝉壳
该怎么处理
骨灰坛
Bio Sketch
Bryan
Rickert, lives with his wife and two daughters in Southern Illinois,
USA and has degrees in art and education. After teaching in urban
schools for fifteen years, Bryan changed careers and is now a roaster in
the coffee industry. He has been studying and writing senryu/haiku
since 2012
The thematically significant and visually striking juxtaposition of "cicada shells" and the "urn" (used for storing the ashes of a cremated person)is effective, sparking the reader's emotions and reflection on death (as well as life after death).
ReplyDeleteNote: "Cicadas are active underground, tunneling and feeding, and not sleeping or hibernating as commonly thought. After the long 2 to 17 years, cicadas emerge from the ground as nymphs. Nymphs climb the nearest available tree, and begin to shed their nymph exoskeleton....The cicada is an ancient polyvalent symbol: resounding themes are resurrection, immortality, spiritual realization and spiritual ecstasy..."