An Army of Crickets Outside My Window
Performing A Show
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