Fireflies at dusk
blinking at our window
The opening act
for fire in the sky
Does the rain
douse
the fireflies'
flame?
(Enquiring minds
need to know.)
Science lesson:
rain brings out the bugs
that firefly larvae feed upon--
more rain, more bugs, more fireflies.
(Thank you, Farmers' Almanac.)
Fireflies take cover
in the rain
their little flames
remaining intact
to blink once more
at my window.
Ah! I almost wrote about the first firefly of the season today! I recorded it last night as I sat on the front porch. Your poem thrills my soul to think that we are appreciating them at the same time. I love the question in your second stanza. What a powerful message for us!
ReplyDeleteChris, enjoy those sweet fireflies. I didn't realize I was an inquiring mind that wanted to know, and now you have filled us in. I love the idea of the fireflies lighting up and feasting in the rain.
ReplyDeleteI was happy to see the fireflies - just one or two - appearing last week. So enchanting, these little lights going off and on in the dusk. And I love this science-poem! It's a lovely, lyrical way of communicating learning, a type of writing students would really enjoy, concise and creative. Fascinating link between firefly-flame and lightning; i.e., the storms bringing firefly food. That is new learning for me!
ReplyDeleteI always loved fireflies as a kid and when my own children caught them at night. I gave my granddaughters a small specimen kit to catch some but the truth is that these beautiful little fairies are few and far between sightings. I enjoyed the scientific content and your poem, especially the last stanza, Chris.
ReplyDelete