30 Poems in 30 Days with 30 Forms
What is an X-Ray poem?
I did not find an established poetic form for X-ray, though I did read a number of poems that referred to xrays. So I was inspired to play with the idea of x-ray by giving myself the following prompt:
Look inside something. Examine it thoroughly. X-rays are capable of penetrating solids, of perceiving what is not outwardly visible. When I came upon the image below of a Desert Cicada, I was inspired to write an x-ray poem. It’s a rough draft for now.
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Patricia, aren’t cicadas one of the most interesting creatures? Your poem is beautiful with all the images. You hooked me at “camouflaged cacophony.” It reminded of when our girls were young, we were outside in our yard observing nature a lot. On a hot, humid, sweaty day, a high-pitched sound pierced the day. We look for the cicada, but we couldn’t find it. Then, we’d hear another cicada and couldn’t find it.
I love all the sounds of your alliteration, consonance, assonance, and rhyme. I enjoyed the effect of your contrasting lines “my shield of stained-glass wings/
beyond my bulging compound eyes
within my ribbed abdomen
a desert song makes its home
deep inside me.” My girls and I grew to love the cicada’s song. I didn’t realize it had three eyes. I have always loved their bulging eyes. Great ending with the repetition of the desert song.
One day my oldest daughter found and red eyed exoskeleton of a cicada that is in the ground for 17 years, which we have here on the East Coast. At first, they both were grossed out, but as we observed I pointed out the uniqueness of this cicada and they warmed up to it.
It is sad that they spend so many years under the ground, molt, mate, and don’t live that long. It is cool though how all the cicadas in one area that have been waiting for 17 years all emerge at the same time. Thank you for sharing your inspiration. I have to go back and catch up on your poems that I missed when I was sick. Some days, I read and enjoyed your poem, but I was too sick with foggy Covid brain among other symptoms to comment. I’m so glad it’s gone. Have a great weekend and thank you for sharing all the different kinds of poems.
Gail, thank you for all your thoughts here. I became super aware of cicadas early in to my living in the desert. Normally we hear bird song even in the heat of summer. And when I began to notice the intense buzzing, I was determined to find the source. Of course they camouflage well – and I didn’t see one for quite some time. Just heard them. But the internet images are far more beautiful than the ones I saw on our mesquite tree. I’m happy to hear you are returning to health! Thank you for your kind words!