by Bruce Bennett

“Fungus full of psychedelic drugs could cause
Indiana Brood X cicadas’ butts to fall off”
—South Bend Tribune

Pity the poor cicadas,
Who don’t know which from what.
They hatch, they eat, they seek a mate,
But then they lose their butt.

It doesn’t help that they are stoned
And part of some great show.
It just seems cruel, a fate that I
Would never choose to know

If it were happening to me.
No, let me sing and die,
And should you see me lose my butt,
Please, do not tell me why!