Luminescence
I’ve never seen a glowworm
but as a boy I trapped jarfuls
of fireflies to serve
as nightlights in my bedroom.
Even when I threw in a handful of grass,
assuming that’s what they ate,
they’d never last the night.
I don’t see many lightning bugs
these days— never heard my grandchildren
squeal in the sinking twilight—
hunting the chartreuse glow of insects
trying to get laid.
Soon the night will only be lit by stars,
to our shame. We humans have shone so brightly,
for so long, it’s past time for us to fade.
(For Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt.)
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
Speaking of past time to fade, I watched Deep Impact this afternoon. Nothing like a good ‘almost end of the world’ disaster movie to make you appreciate the present.
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A good disaster that wasn’t self-inflicted would feel pretty nice about now.
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Do you have grandchildren? Did I know this!?
Great piece wizard of life.
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I went down to the library and checked out a couple of grandkids with my poetic license.
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I feel not so smart, lol
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Don’t feel bad. I appreciate your trust.
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I love this poem. The contrast of the seemingly innocent childhood memories to the twist with that dark, gut-punch of an ending.
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Thank you very much. Always love putting a twist in a poem.
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I can relate. Lovely memory of youth.
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Glad this one was relatable. Thanks!
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