Shooting Stars

monarchs struggling in the south-wester
the mating dance of the damned
amongst white manuka flowers
the chant of late cicadas singing
these are the shooting stars of summer
entering my atmosphere and burning up
shortly after entry

Roger Smith
2017

Cicada

Cicada
Roger Smith  March 2012

Let me hear to nightjay once more
its song over Queenstown
above the rush of the MRT

not the english chirp
of a carniverous sparrow
devouring the last cicada of summer

Roger Smith. 2012