An Army of Crickets Outside My Window

One by one

Crickets from around the world have come together

A few have popped in on occasion all summer

Here they are

Some hidden from view

In the green grass and tall weeds

By the hundreds

Soon the thousands

Are you ready ?

They may be small

But they can sure play

An instrument I have never heard

Without any notice

They gather round

I first walked outside and heard a few

Then as the night grew closer

The word began to spread

Every Tom, Dick and Harry

Maribel,Eliza and Melanie

Began to show up

Quickly telling all their friends

We are here

For the concert of the year

We play our heart out

Performing all day and night

Through the weekend

A free concert

So please put your money away

Pull up a seat

Listen from inside your house

We are the most talented crickets in the world

We practiced every day whenever we found time

For this once in a lifetime thrill

Please enjoy

Our size is deceiving

We are so so small

You can easily miss us

Our instruments go where ever we go

They are tiny little bows

That give off a sound so magnificent

They make every note sound so much clearer

We all play our heart out

What makes us the happiest

Is when we see children and adults gather round

They put down their cell phones and I pads

Stop in and just watch

Looking and looking

Wondering where the sound is coming from

Over there, no over their

Down at our feet

In the trees

On the deck

Wherever I look

I can't see them

Listening to each sound

So different and unique

Sometimes a little confusing

Because you think it's the same sound

Until you really listen closely

You hear many sounds within that sound

Only a talented skilled ear can pick up on the vocals

Other people might even hear a small beat

Think for a moment

How many tiny little bows have to be played

To get the sound so loud

We have no fancy speakers

No extraordinary sound systems

We can be heard over people talking

Local cars driving by

We are so skilled we perform in waves

In the exact moment one group finishes

Another group starts

So it sounds non stop

If we were any bigger we could not all possibly perform

Animals are the kindest

They lay by our side

It gets dark at seven thirty five

A little earlier every night

We play in the pitch black

Never missing one key

As skilled as we may be

A plane over head would be a clear distraction

For us it is a sign

We are constantly in action

The coordination and the skill

Here it is September thirteenth

Our friend is having a birthday

He turned 54

What a lovely way to welcome in another year

Seeing people come from miles

Pulling up and stopping for awhile

There is plenty of room

We are in a field

The morning dew gives us plenty of water to drink

It is easy for our little bodies to get dehydrated

You have to know how physically exhausting it can be

Yesterday we had a light drizzle

The day before it poured

Our poor little muscles do ache

We are here to please

Some people brought pizza from down the street

Other people are busy with subs and french fries in their hands

Both smell so delicious

Most concerts have small venders selling their food

T-shirt sales and cd's for sale

We just want you

We let you bring your own food

Remember this day

In your own special way

We want you to stop what you are doing

Giving us your undivided attention

So you can feel are music

So soothing and nurturing

We reach the soul

Leave all your troubles behind

Giving you a clear sense of peace of mind

So no matter if you stayed a few minutes

An hour if you had the time to spare

If you were really smart

You camped out for the weekend

Taking in the feeling of pure natural satisfaction

You don't have to be a music lover to appreciate

We know you have the you tube channel and can get every song

Every t.v. program and movie

There is something to be said about hearing a show live

The crispness of the night air

Don't worry we have the largest contract in the world

Each bug gave their word

They signed in writing

They will not bite

So as always I am glad to see you

I know you didn't know what to expect

I never do either

But each time I am totally pleased

With the response I have been getting

When you leave here

I hope you will take away with you something special

A touch of love

That grows without effort

Expands to new heights every time

Makes us all feel good

Is easily shared by everyone

Makes even complete strangers

Become friends