Fireflies
by Barbara Brooks
Barbara Brooks

Barbara Brooks, a poet for 15 years, has had her poems published in Green Hills Literary Lantern, Charlotte Poetry Review, The River's Edge and Kerf among others. Her chapbook, "The Catbird Sang" has been published by Finishing Line Press. Many of her poems are based on the observations of nature. She is a physical therapist at UNC Hospitals and lives in Hillsborough, N.C.

When I was young, on June nights,
trees began to light up. The males'
yellow lanterns blinked as they launched
from leaves. In the grass below, females glowed jade.
We caught them in jars, watched them wink.

Last night, trees swayed as I've never seen.
Sky whitened with lightning.
Birds and squirrels gripped
the branches and leaves.
Rain passed, tree frogs chorused
to background stream.
Lights flickered, fireflies
dance—again—in the trees.

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