Image description: close up of golden petals with raindrops, blurred green in background.
To me, they are totem of survival and resurrection—they persist, sometimes for as long as 17 years, in darkness, only to rise up singing. So let me tell you what I know: They do not sting. They do not spread disease. They do not bite. At this last stage of their long lives, they don’t even have mouths, so they cannot bite, cannot eat—not your flowers, not your vegetables, not your trees. And yes, they rise in prodigious numbers, but they are not locusts, not a plague. They are the very opposite of a plague: though smaller branches will be damaged when they lay their eggs, they do little harm; the soil will be aerated and fertilized. Also made happy are the many animals who feast on them, so killing cicadas with pesticides means you’re poisoning countless innocent others. And for mercy’s sake, don’t think their coming signals the end of the world. If anything, they are reminder of the *beginning* of the world—they were the butterflies of the Mesozoic, their song once heard by dinosaurs. For millions of years, they’ve emerged in 13- and 17-year cycles. Only recently have their clocks been scrambled by the climate crisis, so the grand emergence this spring means we’re still on a schedule that was set long before humans even existed. Celebrate the season of them arriving, once again, just on time. We’re not due to see an emergence like this for another 221 years, so imagine—if we do what we can for this good earth, in the year 2245, they might just come again. What I’m saying is don’t call them an infestation, an onslaught. Words matter. Call them a celebration, a jubilee, life’s own flash mob. Or use their collective noun: a superfluidity. How beautiful is that? A superfluidity of cicadas. What I’m saying is don’t be frightened or disgusted. Open your windows wide to a whirring call that, while otherworldly, is very much of our world. Open your heart to a calling that, while alien-sounding, comes from the place that was our home long before we called it home. Nickole Brown
From
“The great benefit of slowing down is reclaiming the time and tranquility to make meaningful connections–with people, with culture, with work, with nature, with our own bodies and minds”
Carl Honoré, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed
spotted in @sarahsalway’s Substack, Everyday Words
Specificity is the watch word for embodied writing.
Heather Demetrios, Writing as Embodied Practice
One of my students has used the word “fucktangular” in an informal essay to describe a situation that was complicated and messy in multiple unpleasant and difficult ways. I am in the prescence of greatness and I am stealing this word.
Hanne Blank via Amanda Palmer via Dominic Bercier on Facebook.
When you stand in front of me and look at me, what do you know of the griefs that are in me and what do I know of yours?
Franz Kafka by way of Shawna Lemay’s Transactions with Beauty blog entry on 20 things that might be helpful.
Think of all the small and wondrous things in the world. The things that we only notice when we pause and practice presence. You know, the things I write about all the time. The things I photograph so often on my walks.
Smallness can be a bright thing. Smallness can bring comfort. Smallness can bring joy. Smallness can bring a sense of ease and a lighter heart.
Even on days you feel small, you are important. Even on days you feel small, you can create. Even on days you feel small, you can take up the space you need.
T. Thorn Coyle’s newsletter, Keep Breathing.
“Be daunted, but not defeated.”
Yann Martel
The quote of the week feature has become a real joy for me. I hope you’re enjoying it. Thanks to those who are inspirations for these quotes or who have provided the quotes.
If you come across a quote that resonates for you and would like to share it here, please let me know. I am particularly interested in quotes from women and non-binary folk, and especially those who are D/deaf and Disabled, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ. As always I wish to amplify and support voices of those who are systematically excluded from canons.
Thank you to paid and free subscribers to Amanda Thru the Looking Glass and coffee buyers! If you like what I do and wish to support it, please subscribe or buy me a coffee.
Thank you! I loved reading this round up of quotes. And I'm honored to be mentioned here!