Do you enjoy poetry?
Practicing for poetry reading – 1999
This is a short poem about when I was a child in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and how I had no regard for the life of lightning bugs flittering through summer nights.
I found a home video from 1999 when I was practicing for a poetry reading at the Frugal Frigate children’s bookstore in Redlands, California:
My grandmother appreciated this poem when I wrote it as an adult. She thought it was terrible that we treated lightning bugs the way we did when we were children, but Grandma seldom gave advice, unless we asked for it. She never said a word until I wrote the poem.
Lightning Bug
Lightning bug, Lightning bug
Can you ever forgive
the child years ago
for the cruel things she did?
She plucked from you
Your glow so bright
And made a ring
For her delight
All her friends,
they did the same
No love for you
They had no shame
The sad part is,
the light soon died
And so did you
with silent sigh
You flew no more
nor lit the skies
on summer nights
filled with your cries
Lightning bug, Lightning bug
Can you ever forgive
the child years ago
for the cruel things she did?
~Lynn Kelley
It’s wonderful for children to explore our world, but it’s important to develop a healthy sense of wonder and respect for fellow creatures and the beauty of nature.
This post is an entry in the WordPress daily one-word prompt. The chosen word is “explore.” To read other entries, go here.
Related post: The Dance
What are your thoughts? Do you have regrets from your childhood? Do you like poetry? Have you ever seen lightning bugs/fire flies?
I’d love to hear from you!
Image: Courtesy of ArtsyBee – Pixabay
Yes, the poor lightening bugs. I do wonder why no one stopped us, by telling us it was mean to do that to the poor little creatures. I feel terrible for it, too, and I’m so glad that I don’t let my grandkids hurt bugs at my house. I tell them that they are going home to their family, and not to step on it.
I don’t think Mom even knew we did that. I’m surprised Grandma noticed! We weren’t supervised. I don’t think they figured we’d get into any mischief playing out front, chasing lightning bugs! That’s great that you don’t let the grandkids hurt the bugs. I’m the same way with mine. 🙂
Spiders in my house are another story…..
No kidding! Spiders and moths and ants, eek!
What a sweet poem! I love lightning bugs; they’re one thing Ohio has in abundance in the summer. And yeah, I feel bad for trapping them in jars, too. Though come to think, I did end up letting most of them go the next day.
Thank you, Jennette. Good for you letting the lightning bugs go the next day. We were way more cruel than just catching them in a jar. There’s something magical about lightning bugs!
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