Cicadas trill with such ease
They drown out the birds and the bees
But rarely they're found
As they hide in the ground -
Like nature's own WMDs
Lee Tougas
Middletown


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ONLINE EXTRA

• More Cicada limericks • 2004 Cicada special section

There once was a biker named Keith
Who took a spin with his hog underneath
The thrill made him smile
At least for a while
Till a cicada knocked out his front teeth
John Kraimer
Liberty Township


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When last the cicadas were singing
My babe to my shoulder was clinging
She is now full of knowledge
And heading for college
What will 17 years more be bringing?
M. Elaine Billmire
Anderson Township


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There was a Cicada named Fred
His eyes were big and red
A mate he must find
He's running out of time
For in a few weeks he'll be dead
Pam Cox
Forest Park

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Once every seventeenth year,
Emerge creatures alleged austere.
'though considered a pest
Put all worries to rest
In a month skies again will be clear
Kevin Brady
Anderson Township


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A cicada came courting one May
Who asked me to come out and play
We chirped and we clacked
Cavorted forth and back.
Then that was the end of our day
Joyce A. Shinn
Hamilton


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There was a cicada named Patti
Who wanted to see Cincinnati
She came through the dirt
And started to flirt
With billions of males who were chatty
Mary Kay Doyle
Newtown


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Our dog whose name's Little Joe
Found a bug that he didn't know
He ate it with a slurp
Let out a great burp
And said 499 million to go
Richard Baxter, age 10
Cleves


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Consider the humble cicada
His presence has certainly mada
Environ of fear
So early this year
According to all of the data
Judy Henderson
North Bend


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There once was a cicada named Ed.
Who climbed from his warm, earthy bed.
He looked up to find
A mate to entwine,
When a bird swooped and lopped off his head.
Christopher Mason
Anderson Township


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With wasabi they pack a real punch
Or you might just try grilling a bunch
Whether stewed, baked or fried
You'll never know till you've tried
So how 'bout some cicada for lunch
John Kraimer
Liberty Township


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Cicadas in Cincinnati
Are delicious and not very fatty.
Some taste like asparagus,
So say the nefarious;
Others are fried in a patty.
Kaye Gordon
Walnut Hills