where the fireflies glow

[Poetry]

National Poetry Month is nearly over, and I can’t believe I haven’t published a single poem. Fixing that now!

where the fireflies glow

darkness — 
                an indigo canopy
draped over the endless fields
like you drape yourself 
                over me 
on the gingham blanket lying 
                between us 
and the lithosphere

fireflies,
     flickering
stars, 
     shimmering
luna, 
     luminescent 

the symphony of summer
the low hum 
    of insect wings
    of leaves rustling
    of exhaled vows
    of broken promises

but here, in the garden —
               our secret shall remain

---

This poem started from a doodle, a free-write session after viewing a photo and gif I found on Reddit. Yes, Reddit! Reddit is full of inspiration. I often bookmark/save things like this to look back on later to fuel my creations.

I stared at this gif for a while and felt a pang, a longing for my rural roots. There’s something special about growing up in the country, in the early weeks of summer. It’s somewhat romantic. At least, that’s the vibe I get when I reflect on the setting.

When I was a kid, I would sit in the yard or perch at the top of the tree fort and watch the fireflies float above the fields in those early summer weeks. Journaling, daydreaming, letting them inspire me. Seeing a photo like the one I have here (I am not sure who to credit it to, but it was posted by the user TimReavesPhotography) instantly takes me back. Except my landscape didn’t include the mountain/hill, but rather flat cornfields that went on for miles.

While this poem is not based in my own reality, it gives a coming of age vibe, sprinkled with tender heartbreak. A secret love, maybe? A hidden romance that ended too soon?

Happy National Poetry Month. I hope you created some pieces that make you float. And if you haven’t yet, you still have a few days. ✨