27 Apr “Cicada Song” – An Original Oil Painting and Poem – From “Lucas Life in Chicago – An Exhibit at Bottles Up!” – JUNE 2026
Welcome to a Little Preview of Each Oil Painting and Poem in:
“LUCAS LIFE IN CHICAGO – AN EXHIBIT AT BOTTLES UP!” – JUNE 2026
HOLLY’S GARDEN CHICAGO
An Oil Series depicting scenes and themes from the sacred garden of remembrance named for our first Collie and comprised of plantings lovingly brought with us from Virginia to Charleston, SC and now lovingly tended here in Chicago, IL
CICADA SONG
16×12 Framed Oil on Canvas
“Cicada Song” is inspired by actual events but is also a powerful metaphor for how the culture of abuse crushes spirits, silences voices, and severs relationships. The antidote to this is found in the strength of our songs that, like the Cicada’s, persevere to survive and speak truth transforming the world along with us as we have the courage to change into the most authentic version of ourselves.
“Cicada Song”
Holly’s Garden Chicago
Painting and Poem by Rina Lucas
I stood with a fair haired child
Many summers ago,
She spoke with a voice like mine…
People told me
She favored me,
But on this day
She was frightened
Screaming and crying
Terrified
And I knew that feeling well,
In this instance
The scary sensations came from
Being overwhelmed
By creeping things
Chirping Cicadas
Emerging from their seventeen year slumber
Underground
To meet the sun and one another
For a short while,
But these strange creatures
Seemed like monsters
To a small girl
Who had never observed them before,
She needed experienced eyes
To help her see herself
In these insects
As fellow living beings
With a precious purpose
And a voice…
“Sweet Angel
Don’t be afraid!
These little animals
Are our friends,”
I carefully picked one up
To show her
And he began to sing,
“See?
He’s singing!
Just like me!
That’s what they do!
They rest for a long time
Remaining quiet
Under the surface,
And when they wake
They break free from their shell
Becoming totally new
And all they want to do is
Share their songs,
They look unusual to us
But they are gentle
And even beautiful in their way,
If we take a minute
To hear their voice
We see it is like ours,”
Her face lit up
With understanding
And natural empathy,
She was smiling
Seeing past the alien visage
And the leggy limbs
To the sleek silvery wings
And proud vocals,
Hearing the combined songs
From many locusts
Singing in the trees
Along with this one
In my hand,
Her fear was gone
Her eyes like mine
Filled with wonder
My heart brimming over
With songs of my own
I set the fragile bug
Back where I found him,
But suddenly there were
Loud footsteps
A large shadow loomed
Blocking the light of the sun
He was there…
The one who looked like
Both of us,
Before I knew it
His heavy boot
Came crushing down
On the helpless life
In anger
In disgust
In hatred of much
He did not understand…
For the inexplicable pleasure
Of hurting something
That could not
Fight back…
There on the ground
Lay in pieces
The broken body
Of the blameless Cicada
Whose song had been silenced
For no reason at all…
And innocent eyes once filled with joy
Turned dark with tears
Confused
Searching mine
But I had no words of comfort
To give her
Or myself…
That was several seasons ago
In a time when I too
Felt the Cicada’s anguish
Under a forceful foot,
I cannot bring back the song
I heard on that day
Nor the childlike fascination
That replaced fear
On the face
Of that little girl I always remember
And love…
But as I recline among the arbors
In this new place
Bursting with new life
And new songs
From brave Cicadas
Whose essence survived
And sojourned on
From that day
To this one
I find my own voice and spirit
Lifted
In harmony with the tenacious truth
Of their masterful melody
The very key to their
Survival…
“Sing on little ones all
Who have been pressed down
Let your voice ring out
As powerful medicine
The arias of those
Who have overcome.”
Many thanks for sharing this preview of the exhibit with me! I look forward to seeing you at the opening reception!
“LUCAS LIFE IN CHICAGO – AN EXHIBIT AT BOTTLES UP!”
Original Oil Paintings and Poetry
Featuring Artist: Rina Lucas – staffandpalette.com
Including Wine Tasting Reception
June 5th, 2026: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
BottlesUp! https://bottlesupchicago.com
3164 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
FIRST FRIDAY EVENT
If you are interested in purchasing any of these original oil paintings, each accompanied by poetry, please contact me at: