Summoning Fireflies
by Kate Dworman
Oh mysterious blinking
eyes of the woods.
Memories of childhood
of mystery
and fairytale.
Where have you gone?
You who used to
illuminate shoulders
of rural highways, sparkling
woods from our windows.
Twilight’s twinkling gold drops
dancing among the treetops
in the humid breath of Mother Nature,
and her song of humming cicadas;
her heartbeat of distant thunder.
Glowing signals
beckoning your beloved.
Flashing declarations
of desire
of summons
and seduction.
Oh tiny lantern
vessel of light
(please) stay
instead of flickering out
into the ether of our memories
of nights pulsing
with heat lightning
we caught you as children
gently cupping your wings
holding your lives in our hands
Little lightening
Rekindle us, and in response
we will return our gardens
of sod and stone
to the native
wild of your ephemeral home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: is a nature writer whose poetry and essays explore environmental issues and advocate for wildlife conservation. She contributes editorial support to nonprofits, focusing on gray wolf protection in the northern Rockies. Kate serves as Board Chair of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network and has an MA in NGO Management from Johns Hopkins University.