Chicago Crickets at the Equinox, 2025

September

Is Chicago’s month

Of 80 degree eves

And outdoor bars.

But it won’t last long.

Seep, seep, seep

Go crickets in grass and trees.

Swish, swish

Go the newly falling leaves

The intoxicating balm

is temporary.

Cops caught a couple of really bad guys

But on another block a gang reigns drugs and death.

Behind a caged helmet

One of Da Bears grins post-touchdown,

Now they give up the ball and their owners

Plot a move to the suburbs.

A Metra train roars by

Defying reports of mass cuts in transit

Good things are temporary

That’s what zen masters say—

            Impermanence—All is suffering

           If you expect otherwise.

Seep, seep, seep. Crickets only live what, a year?

In their world, a century.

‘

Longtime folks say this city is forever Al Capone

(one thing permanent?)

Just before a commercial

Da Bears

intercept.

--- Bonni McKeown  at  One Lake brewery 2025 9-21