were they trying to sing?

the neighbors were making

lots of ruckus

last night

but perhaps

they were trying to sing

bongos, ukeleles, clarinets,

and this awful wailing

but maybe

they were just trying to sing

thought it might of been cats

but it was the vox humana

about forty of them

all prima donnas

making a racket

attempting to swing

but heck

maybe

they were just trying to sing

--Ross Bender

long night

in the long grass

the long night lengthens imperceptibly

the whole autumnal bug chorus

drones on

some diva insect pipes up

cheep cheep cheeping

like she's doing einstein on the beach

give me a break

the whole autumnal bug chorus

drones on

suddenly a dog barks

once

as in warning

then again more querulously

I prick up my ears -- expecting gunshots maybe?

but it's nothing

the whole autumnal bug chorus

drones on

and the night lengthens

imperceptibly

--Ross Bender