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Fireflies

we would poke holes in the lids of glass jars when we tried to catch fireflies whose lights flickered around us those warm nights of our childhood holding onto youth is like capturing fireflies - light so soon grows dim

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Joe Dimino

Date: 8/2/2025 8:37:00 AM

"holding onto youth is like capturing fireflies - light so soon grows dim" -- Very sensitive and telling of the human spirit. Yes, I recall doing this as a youth. Crushing them too, and smearing the glitter out. Kids. God, a wonder I can still remember that far back! Hope heaven has a shorter memory...fat chance, I think:)

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/2/2025 9:57:00 AM

I am glad you admitted the crushing thing. I was afraid to mention I did that a few times too. Looking back, I realize how cruel it was.We would use the "shine" like a ring on our fingers.

John Fleming

Date: 8/1/2025 12:19:00 PM

Loved this, Andrea. The simplicity of it makes it...simply beautiful. Fantastic 2nd verse! Lovely little poem. :) john

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/2/2025 9:57:00 AM

thanks so much.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 8/1/2025 10:32:00 AM

Dear Andrea, there’s something so magical about those summer nights, running around with jars, trying to catch fireflies and bottle up a little piece of our childhood. I love how you captured that sense of wonder, and how it slips through our fingers the harder we try to hold onto it. Reading your words made me smile and feel a little nostalgic. Blessings, My Dear Andrea, Daniel

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/1/2025 9:17:00 PM

Thanks. I really miss them. Utah doesn't have any

Jay Narain

Date: 8/1/2025 10:02:00 AM

Two true scenaarios. We are all getting there. Nice thoughts.

Valsa George

Date: 7/31/2025 9:59:00 PM

Beautiful tanka and meaningful haiku. Indeed youth is like the fleeting glow of fireflies. In no time it disappears. All the best.

Dr. Vandana Sharma

Date: 7/31/2025 8:15:00 PM

May be we all should learn to let go soon........

Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh

Date: 7/31/2025 7:43:00 PM

Yes in youth we run after illusions.Great poem .

Bill Baker

Date: 7/31/2025 5:51:00 PM

Fun times you describe in your poem today, my friend. They were the days, we thought they'd never end. Now I'm getting sad. Smiles ~ Blessings, Andrea. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/31/2025 4:38:00 PM

I can picture both! Great, Andrea!

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 7/31/2025 3:07:00 PM

Aw, very sweet and nostalgic Andrea. Fireflies were so magical in childhood. The memories we made in childhood are truly like those flickers of light, now dimly shining out from a jar of childhood sweetness in our hearts. I love this poem <3

Richard D Seal

Date: 7/31/2025 3:04:00 PM

That flash of youth, gone before you know it, certainly before you appreciate it. Nice one Petal.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 7/31/2025 3:02:00 PM

Yes, childhood doesn't last but I have found still inside me lies the child. Thanks for sharing this creative one with us. I enjoyed reading it. I remember catching fireflies as a child; we would always let them go when we went inside because they needed to live to light another night for us. Sara K

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/31/2025 2:20:00 PM

What a creative/fun write you have here. As a young child, I did catch fireflies. "Good Luck" We both did this one. Have a fun day writing away..........

Tom Woody

Date: 7/31/2025 1:55:00 PM

I had a friend - true story, who would capture bees in a jar, light a match and close the lid and watch them suffocate as he would say, Mmm mmm booty booty. I'm glad you were at least less sardonic