sara Etgen-Baker Poet Tanka

Notes About The Poem

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LIGHTENING BUGS

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Summer dusk descends~
tiny lanterns drift between
my cupped, patient hands.
One flickers gold against skin,
then slips free into the dark.

you may read the related memoir vignette at poetrysoup.com/short_stories/catching_lightning_bugs_13624

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Line Gauthier March 26, 2026 at 2:57 PM like magic ~

Yann Rolland February 28, 2026 at 3:48 PM enjoyed, so well written wishes

Kim Rodrigues February 28, 2026 at 7:26 AM Tiny lanterns in cupped hands…like that!

Regina Elliott February 28, 2026 at 6:52 AM Beautiful, Sara. I’m looking forward to seeing fireflies this summer, they are so enchanting. Weekend blessings & hugs :)

Valsa George February 28, 2026 at 6:10 AM Beautiful- dear Sara. I too have been once a catcher of lightening bugs. Now not a single one is seen in our locality... wonder if they have become an extinct species.