These Featherless Wings by Chipka
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Description
It’s been nearly a year since I found the disembodied frailty of a cicada’s single wing. I’d discovered it, quite by accident; I was entranced by its beauty. It was light—nearly weightless, when I picked it up. It crinkled with the sound of cellophane as a breeze played along its edge. I knew, because of a single wing between thumb and forefinger, that somewhere (over there, out there, far…far away) another wing might lie in patient wait, not-actually hoping or eventual discovery. I entertained no illusions of finding the other wing. I accepted the idea that (over there, out there, far…far away) there was a dead cicada: possibly rendered into digested mush in the gut of an insect-eating bird. The wing I held between thumb and forefinger comprised the only testament I had of a particular cicada’s existence.
Nearly a year later, I still have the wing. I’ll keep it until it crumbles, until I lose it, until a thieving breeze snatches it and carries it out of an open window, an open door, or from my open palm. I’ve captured a record of that wing, and I’ve posted one such image already. Now, I am posting another: not of the wing itself, but of something else…a ghost of the wing, and its long-vanished twin. I think there is a story behind this image. Perhaps there is a story within it. I know that as I created this image, I found surprises within it: I saw a world and houses, and faint, emotional whispers of things I have yet to name. And so, bearing those things in mind, I can say that in time—perhaps by summer, when annual cicadas rattle their songs—a story may emerge. Until then, here is an image…the ghost, perhaps, of a long-dead cicada.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week. I’m adjusting to my new work schedule and my oddly displaced weekends, but I fully intend to catch up on posting, viewing, and commenting, but I’m glad to see what I’ve seen, and I hope you’ve enjoyed this oddly subjective (largely invisible) cicada.
Comments (16)
auntietk
Beautiful! Such delicate tracery. I'll look forward to the story! :)
beachzz
Such a wonderfully delicate feel---wow!!
durleybeachbum
I like what you did here. I have a box of Demoiselle wings and haven't yet decided what to do with them...Hmmmmm...
Feliciti
wonderful and so filigree !!
Faemike55
Very beautiufl image and narrative excellent
-Jordi-
Great image and thoughts. What I find more enigmatic of the cicadas is that they can be 14 years as a larva underground, and then just some months as an adult before they doe.
helanker
WOnderful image, Chip. You made this little wing famous :-) Love the story too.
flavia49
marvelous!
kgb224
Thia is amazing work my friend and I will be waiting for the story that comes with this capture. God Bless.
RodS
Hmmmmm - well, now my friend.... You've given me some ideas with this, you know! It's not yet cicada season, but when I hear thier familiar song once again, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled... Those wings would scan very well (after thier rightful owner no longer needs them, of course) and would make very nice Fae wings! This is very cool, Chip!
MrsRatbag
I wonder if the lone wing feels the ghost presence of its mate, and even of the creature that wore it, sort of a reverse phantom limb syndrome? Hmmm, interesting thought. Beautiful image, and I can't wait to read what you come up with around this fascinating find!
sandra46
AMAZING GLORY
tofi
How beautiful and inspirational, Dear Chip! I like what you've done here with your image to commemorate perhaps the spirit of this Cicada. Lovely the way it stumbled upon you, or perhaps you on it. Either way, I am excited to read a story, as your creativity and talent in writing is always a pleasurable treat. Wonderful amber background... most perfect, I believe for this subject! May you have a wonderful, restful and fun weekend!
KatesFriend
I was taken by your "ghost of the wing" idea and began to wonder, what does it take to become a ghost? Almost always they are described as former (and dead) humans. Sometimes though they are familiar animals like a dog or a cat or perhaps even a bird - its familiar whistle heard echoing in the halls long after its end. I don't suppose anyone has ever thought about ghost insects. A curious idea.
icerian
Tenderness.
danapommet
Nice creation and postwork Chip. Love the narrative!