Luminescence

Posted on 2021-08-16 by Bartholomew Barker

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.)

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About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
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10 Responses to Luminescence

  1. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2021-08-16 at 20:39

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. harleyxreborn's avatar Harley Reborn says:
    2021-08-17 at 01:48

    Do you have grandchildren? Did I know this!?

    Great piece wizard of life.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Jewish Young Professional "JYP"'s avatar Jewish Young Professional "JYP" says:
    2021-08-17 at 07:00

    I love this poem. The contrast of the seemingly innocent childhood memories to the twist with that dark, gut-punch of an ending.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2021-08-17 at 13:07

    I can relate. Lovely memory of youth.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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