Summer Sounds

The soft sounds of summer seem silenced now.

Where now the gentle humming of bees around the garden?

Hear now the strident cadences of clustered cicadas.

Where now the cheerful chirping of sparrows feeding?

Hear now the cries of marauding mobs of migrant mynahs.

Where now the tuneful warbling of magpies in the trees?

Hear now the cacophonous cries of cockatoos squawking overhead.

Where now the merrily talking wagtails chasing insects?

There’s now the mournful call of a solitary cruciform koel

Where now the gentle twitterings of wrens flittering amongst the branches?

Hear now the agitated calls of congregations of noisy miners.

Where now the rhythmic clack of oars in rowlocks across the lake?

Instead now the scream of jet skis trailing rooster tails of streaming water.

Where now the once familiar choof-choof of passing trains?

There’s now the thumping doof-doof bass of music-powered cars.

Where once there was the peaceful country picnic

There’s now the crowded picnic ground with shouting hordes.

Where now? Hear now? Why now?