Like fireflies flickering in the night
is the borrowed happiness of the world.
Our Mason jar lanterns’ yellow-green light
winking at us through a summer storm’s might,
soothing heart-leaps of each boy and girl,
their fireflies flickering in the night.
Run! Scoop them with hands and seal them tight,
see them fly to and fro and glow and whirl,
your Mason jar lanterns’ yellow-green light.
Morning, just bugs and grass in glass trapped tight
and the smiles pulling at faces uncurl.
Those flickering fireflies were once so bright.
As sure as supple August’s green crusts white,
so the flushing pink skin of youth unfurls.
Your Mason jar lanterns’ yellow-green light
on someone else’s dresser tops burn bright
while the sap in your veins just barely swirls.
Goodbye flickering fireflies in the night.
Goodbye, goodbye to the yellow-green light.
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