Fireflies

As I walk my dog tonight

In the deepening dusk

Pinpoints of lights dance around me

Reminding me of my carefree youth

I remember chasing fireflies

And putting them in a jar

We cut holes in the lid for air

Planning on keeping them forever

The neighborhood kids

Use to play in the gathering dusk

Seeing who could catch the most

Till one by one mothers called them home

Then we would twist the lids

And let our prizes go

No more do I see kids laughing

Carefree chasing the tiny lights

I would like to teach my grand children

This simple delight!

Comments: 15

David N. Jul 23, 2009, 2:12am EDT

Excellent. I have never seen a real firefly. I hope someday I do. Sounds like you had fun with them as a child.

Sheryl L. Jul 23, 2009, 10:46am EDT

I thought fireflys were pretty much everywhere. They are fun to watch at night.

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Erinn K. Jul 23, 2009, 2:16am EDT

I love it!! It is very true, I never see kids catching lightning bugs anymore. My sister and I used to all the time.

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Roger B. Jul 23, 2009, 2:19am EDT

Nice reminiscence. It's a shame that we can't safely allow our grandchildren the same freedom to run around at dusk, chasing fireflies........and each other, that we were afforded when we were kids.

-R.

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Michelle S. Jul 23, 2009, 2:24am EDT

that was so nice & so true. kids need to do more simple things like this. :)

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George Shaw Jul 23, 2009, 3:01am EDT

An interesting and nostalgic story, Sheryl. All "progress" has a cost. Finley Peter Dunne, a newspaperman in the late 1800's, had a character named Mr. Dooley. In one column he had Mr. Dooley say, "Progress, what has progress given us? the taste of solder in our peaches."

Sheryl L. Jul 23, 2009, 3:09am EDT

No wonder I don't eat peaches anymore, lol.

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flit . Jul 23, 2009, 8:30am EDT

I love fireflies - we get a lot of them down in the buffer zone at our waterfront

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fancy c. Jul 23, 2009, 9:16am EDT

i think they are neat

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John S. (arizona) Jul 23, 2009, 12:11pm EDT

That was very nice. Boy, I haven't seen a firefly in ages, since I was a little kid.
Thanks.

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Angela A. Jul 23, 2009, 2:40pm EDT

I loved catching "lightning bugs" as a child. That's what we called them.
This poem is very delightful indeed.
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting