Long Firefly Poems
Long Firefly Poems. Below are the most popular long Firefly by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long Firefly poems by poem length and keyword.
little green dragon sprouts emperor’s wings she lights tastes red plum nectar _family hopes among trees monarch blown from seas one love will never be still dancing rhythm meet _erratic dance but on course destiny sea blown alone sun's daughter she flies wisteria’s home _cherry blossoms roam wild rose fawns run firefly hides sparrow plucks delicate wings sunflower escapes _to moon flower clearing skies monarch gone sparrow sighs apples ripe the winter the flowers are gone _Madame butterfly hides child - * Note - based on Madame Butterfly" is a short story by American lawyer and writer John Luther Long
Haiku Translations II
Illuminated by the harvest moon
smoke is caught creeping
across the water...
Hattori Ransetsu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Fanning its tail flamboyantly
with every excuse of a breeze,
the peacock!
Masaoki Shiki, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
Waves row through the mists
of the endless sea.
Masaoki Shiki, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
I hurl a firefly into the darkness
and sense the enormity of night.
—Kyoshi Takahama, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
As girls gather rice sprouts
reflections of the rain ripple
on the backs of their hats.
—Kyoshi Takahama, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
Unaware it protects
the hilltop paddies,
the scarecrow seems useless to itself.
—Eihei Dogen Kigen, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Ebb-tide:
everything we stoop to collect
slips through our fingers ...
—Chiyo-ni, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Fading memories
of summer holidays:
the closet’s last floral skirt...
—Michael R. Burch
Scandalous tides,
removing bikinis!
—Michael R. Burch
Haughty moon,
when did I ever trouble you,
insomnia’s co-conspirator!
—Michael R. Burch
Ascendance Transcendence
by Michael R. Burch
Breaching the summit
I reach
the horizon’s last rays.
Moore or Less
by Michael R. Burch
for Richard Moore
Less is more —
in a dress, I suppose,
and in intimate clothes
like crotchless hose.
But now Moore is less
due to death’s subtraction
and I must confess:
I hate such redaction!
no foothold
by michael r. burch
there is no hope;
therefore i became invulnerable to love.
now even god cannot move me:
nothing to push or shove,
no foothold.
so let me live out my remaining days in clarity,
mine being the only nativity,
my death the final crucifixion
and apocalypse,
as far as the i can see ...
The Red State Reaction
by Michael R. Burch
Where the hell are they hidin’
Sleepy Joe Biden?
And how the hell can the bleep
Do so much, in his SLEEP?
Red State Reject
by Michael R. Burch
I once was a pessimist
but now I’m more optimistic
ever since I discovered my fears
were unsupported by any statistic.
Keywords/Tags: haiku, nature, moon, water, sea, night, rain, dark, memories, tides, insomnia
Clarity, clarity, surely clarity is the most beautiful thing in the world, A limited, limiting clarity I have not and never did have any motive of poetry But to achieve clarity.
George Oppen
If it wasn't for poetry,
how would we portray stars of clarity?
Moon would appear silently ordinary,
how would we express that which is contrary?
Verses without stardust shimmer would be horrid,
no metrical composition would sound torrid.
No sapphire skies nor turquoise tides.
No ivory shores nor firefly guides.
No magic of butterflies dancing under moonlight.
A travesty of no lullabies to ease before midnight.
Horizons would appear blank, dismal and dark -
your muted muse would forfeit their spark.
If a poet's conscience suffers a premature death,
how would you honour their quill's last breath?
How would you express that painful goodbye?
No legacy for our words to poetically beautify.
Unable to honour memories of the deceased -
an unwritten elegy cannot praise a masterpiece.
Autumn would just be a modified season.
Spring slowly blossom without a reason.
Summer would bring no wonder in flowers.
Winter would be grey with freezing showers.
Would music suffer from atrocious lyrics,
unmetered songs only lead to hysterics.
Would poetic love exist?
Would our lips have ever kissed?
No expressions to defeat hate.
No epodic justice to fate.
No sweet sonnets to revere.
Shakespeare's world would disappear.
Romeo would not woo Juliet.
Literature students would forget
bards who bled ballads before us -
what would lovers have to discuss?
No angst or alliterations.
No 3am damnations.
No syllable creations.
No lustful flirtations.
An end to narrations.
All lost translations.
If there were only ugly words,
would it be the end of singing birds?
No emancipation of the oppressed.
No catharsis for the depressed.
Hearts would repress and suppress.
Demons would stress and digress.
If it wasn't for poetry,
I would still be a mystery.
I would not speak in rhymes,
there would be nothing to define.
My soul a misunderstood metaphor,
drowning in an inkless reservoir.
Life would become a burden,
as petals die in my poetic garden
and after everything has been said and done,
there would be no Poetic One.
I was sitting on the back porch ‘bout an hour after dark
When I couldn’t help but notice a tiny pulsing spark.
I thought it was a firefly – It had that kind of glow
But I’d never seen the likes of it – what it was I didn’t know
It flittered to and fro just like a firefly does
I went into the backyard to determine what it was.
Just as I approached the place I thought that it might be
It flew right up and landed very close to me.
Soon I realized it was no ordinary find.
What happened next you won’t believe – it nearly blew my mind.
A Lilliputian creature stepped from this tiny craft
Right then and there I was aware of questions I should ask.
He must have been aware of the fear he’d caused in me.
I could see my hands were shakin’ -- never thought I’d be set free.
His tiny voice became quite clear and in a most convincing tone
He said, “My friend, be not afraid – I‘m here all alone.”
He appeared to be confused a bit and why, I’ll never know
But the fear that he had fostered was about to let me go.
He began to tell his story; I let out a sigh
I knew I’d better listen to this little guy.
Now, he was small in stature; ‘bout a half inch, nothin’ more –
Why, I believe that he could pass through the space beneath the door. .
He then began to tell me – It must sound like a dream.
He was here because of some wayward sunbeam.
“I race Haley’s comet to the far side of the sun.”
He said, “The race is always over before it has begun.
There is a reason for these victories, you see
My good ship Omnipresence, right here in front of me.”
“Time and space,” He said. “Are always at my command.
I can do more things with them than man can understand.”
He said, “I spin the rings of Saturn, create firmament at will
I flew a mission of atonement to a very special hill.”
I asked, “Do you know Jesus? He died upon that hill.”
He said, “When all things are settled, everybody will.
I led three wise men to him that cold and wintry night
The shepherds were there to witness a miraculous sight
So you ask do I know Jesus? -- it fills me with such mirth --
This very craft was hidden there at the moment of His birth.
I was there to hear the angels when they sang out on high.
Yes, I’d say I know Jesus, That’s why I’ll never die.”
Written By John Posey
12/18/12
Some folks believe it. Others do not. The legend told in the Bayou Cannot. The only witness who can swear that it's true, are the creatures who live in the bayou. The owl told the gator, the gator told the frog, about the horror filled night that changed their home in the bog. Far off on the mainland, miles from the marsh, in a large city, where living is harsh. A man's world invention sprang into life. A breath of fresh air to man's world of strife. A new deisel engine, queen of the line, would make it run for the very first time. The sunset limited it was aptly named. Gleamed in the station waiting its moment of fame. Boarded by folks going south, some headed out west, none mindful of anything, but each's own quest. New York to L.A. via the southern run. So it was, the trip had begun. Back in the bog, things were happening too. A barge made its way north with its captain and crew. The day had been hot. The night had turned cool. The fog roiled in, with its blanket of dew. The captain steered his tug, painfully slow, caution was key to safely deliver the tow. All of a sudden there was a scrape and a jolt the barge floated free, not held by a bolt. Panic seized the crew! "We've lost the tow!" "MAYDAY!" screamed the captain over the radio. Amid the chaos and moans of disdain, another great jar, "We've got it again!". Back on land not far down the track the Limited sped with a clickety-clack. Approaching the tressel no one noticed the shake. Who could blame the poor folks; the hour was late. Midway over the bayou came the tressels demise. A great shiver another great quake, tons of speeding steel, folks met their sad fate. Days went by weary and sad. Rescuers agreed none worked a wreck this bad. Twisted and bent the engine was pulled from the muck and the slime. "102" came the final count, the coroner spoke and noted the time. A weary voice shouted "Wait!" "Sir, I disagree!" Tired eyes turned, what did they see? A weary man held in his arms a child about three. Today believers say "an angel wanders." "A tiny spirit" Others agree. On foggy nights when no moon can be. A tiny light flickers so you will see. "It's a firefly!" Say the skeptics of haunt. The creatures disagree and murmur their taunt. They know the spirit of the child now lives in their swamp.
Written by my grandmother Sandra Burch
REINCARNATION THINKING?
Life is like a coloring book
with few or many pages
filled with complex
outlined images.
We are given a box of crayons
and are asked to color in the
background and spaces of the images
Sub-titles are allowed.
When the coloring book is finished
we are given a new one to complete.
C.A.K. 12-6-2012
REINCARNATION THINKING 2 -SOUL SEARCHING
Was I once before or never
Don’t know how or even whether
I was a firefly, a bird of prey
a centipede, a fish fillet?
A baseball fan to keep the score
a mockingbird, a carnivore?
A blossom in the midst of spring
a sign of what the day might bring.
A germ grown in a Petri dish
a chicken bone an unmade wish
All things and species could I be,
even remnants of a tree.
Of all of these, I leave this post,
I am for now what I am most.
CAK 7-23-2012
MORE QUESTIONS ON RE-INCARNATION
As 'core' beliefs thicken so,
does it leave us room to grow?
As aging souls say we must,
complete the cycle which was thrust
upon our bucolic living place
turned upside down in whorling space
searching for a redemptive life.
But for you, dearest one, do you not remember
before you arrived, you took this bucking horse of soul,
tamed it, labeled it and proclaimed it.
To become what you needed in order
that your ride be contained and controlled.
It's name is 'balance' and it keeps you level in the saddle
so you don't fall off.
10-3-2012
REINCARNATION THINKING 3 -
If, we are on a soul journey,
then what must that soul become?
A better soul? A wiser soul?
A sad soul? A learned soul?
Until one reaches the end of time,
There are so many lives to live out
to fully experience all aspects of this world.
Animals, plants - more souls searching?
One can speculate, but from my perspective
none of it makes sense.
CAK 4-03-2012
REINCARNATION ENDING
Was the Phoenix reincarnated?
Or was its embers reignited?
Perhaps before a lowly worm or soldier bee
or brown turned leaf upon a tree?
A seahorse, a shark, which fish shall I be?
In fisherman's net to be eaten by me?
And when the cycle is complete
and x equals x on our balance sheet.
Can we then rest in a celestial lair
with memories gone and unaware
of trials by all things forgotten?
If choose I must or chosen by me,
I'll remain in the stars and just wait to see.
6-2-2012
When the smoky quartz sun
slumbers into a cold winter,
we see the aftermath of a garnet twilight,
it is then, we find rose stars
that refuse to abandon us in shivering solitude,
and beneath snake-skinned skylines of nadir,
we learn to appreciate
the truest colors of nature……
Hope is but a hollow rope,
hanging loose on empty lies~
splattered across eclipsed skies,
and this aching heart sighs,
singing to the fallen flowers,
fading into depths of
black-magic silence,
for peace is a distant memory,
frozen within pixelated Polaroids
of poignant pain.
I remember the night
I was unplugged and strangled
in toxic tremors,
slipping into fatigued negligence,
too tired of fighting a
battle with no prudence,
but no one hears the unspoken,
amidst the tears that
croon in tragic tunes.
Now my mind is a muted mausoleum;
weathered and withdrawn,
impregnated with deceased dreams~
and remnants embalmed in poison ivy.
Yet diabolical thoughts
keep whirling
through funeral chaos,
to cloak my conscience in
a glass casket of sleepless uncertainties,
smothering the last breath I held.
I do not seek an orchard
blooming with butterfly orchids
and pristine pansies,
yet, somehow, I am the wrinkled
willow~
awaiting dancing rays
of diamond twilight.
Perhaps this is how a poet grieves,
writing epitaphs with
bloodstained ink,
when familiar faces are
clothed in ivory farewells,
to rest amongst the forgotten,
away from the cruelty that creeps.
I know not the synonyms for healing,
the poems I’ve woven beneath
starry skies now flow undone,
and I am burning,
in my crippling confusion,
pondering why the sun is now
a curse in disguise,
why do I long to walk
through forests of ruins,
where the mauve moon was,
when insomniac
instruments of galaxies
strummed broken strings
of feathered fate.
So take this poem, weave these words
it into the final line
of tasteless satires,
streaming in the
rhythm of zestless zenith,
for I have no desire to
pretend and play,
or swirl and sway
when all I knew now is a
melancholic mystery untold.
So listen to the rhapsody of tears~
I am a frazzled firefly,
eloquently tangled in the
ruthless roots of jinxed junipers.
(Verse 1) Yo, lemme paint a picture, country sunset glowin' Down a dusty backroad, where the crickets keep on goin' Radio hummin' low, some D'Angelo smooth and right Got that "Untitled" playing, bathed in the porch light Thinkin' 'bout a shawty, yeah, she got that certain sway Like a sweet Southern melody, at the close of the day She could "have it her way," that's a fact I understand And if she wanted to decide, I'd be right there, lending a hand. Said if you get a feelin', that familiar, deep inside The one that makes you wanna move, nowhere left to hide Won't you come closer to me? Let the rhythm take control Like a soulful country ballad, reachin' for your soul.
(Verse 2) Reminds me of that Silk joint, the way she walks, it's true Got that "Freak Me, baby" energy, shining right through. Not talkin' 'bout no recklessness, but a confident allure Like a firefly in darkness, somethin' you can't ignore. Let me talk to you softly, 'bout intentions pure and deep More than just a fleeting moment, promises I wanna keep. Remember Brandy on the speakers, "Top of the World" we vibe That feelin' when you connect, like nothin' can divide. Used to dream of gettin' there, same ambition in my stride Now I'm lookin' at her beauty, got nowhere left to hide. From Helly Hansen dreams to buildin' somethin' real and strong This ain't 'bout mini mansions, where we truly belong.
(Verse 3) Now that 3T joint hits different, "I would do anything for you" That raw, unadulterated truth, shinin' fresh and new. Sittin' here tonight, thinkin' 'bout her gentle touch Wish she was here beside me, wouldn't ask for nothin' much. Just her presence, her laughter, the way she looks my way Takes me back to simpler times, at the end of the day. Like Anthony Hamilton croonin', 'bout the love that feels so right "Cornbread, Fish & Collard Greens," under the moonlight. Knew just what I had to be, when I saw her in that light Like an appetite awakened, burnin' ever so bright. To every dude in sight, she stands out, a queen for real This ain't no competition, this is truly how I feel. By then, I just gotta step up, and let my feelings bloom This ain't just some casual fling, escapin' from a lonely room. This is somethin' deeper, a connection hard to find A soulful country R&B blend, etched upon my mind.
The heavens brush by her fingertips
as she reaches for the sky
but her feet stay nailed to the ground
when she stretches past those pearly gates
catching a shooting star in one hand
while grabbing Orion’s belt with her left
to wrap around her waist
when she gets home.
Down she shrinks
until she is the size of a firefly
blinking on and off
to the beat of their hearts.
She smothers her light
as the demons emerge
from the depths of the burnt lake
and they search in the dark
for something to clamp
their steel traps around.
As she is finally found
she is pulled from all sides
by good and bad alike
and only at the break of the sun
when light pours out from two grinning halves
does the tugging on her spider web soul cease.
And the struggling plants fly by her window
as she makes her journey around the world
though it’s only around the block that she flies
for the umpteenth time
and as the clouds decend
to meet her feeble plane
she wishes the land beneath her
didn’t seem quite so far away.
She jumps out, parachute-less
and tries to run away
on those stepping stone puffs of perspiration
to meet her so-called destiny.
But as she is running she is sinking
and the hands she reaches for
only throw stones to build the wall
that she resides within
effectively putting blinders on all five sides.
All she sees are feet pounding air
and now she is jumping
red-tiled rooftop to red-tiled rooftop
a suburban myth in the making.
Sparrows swoop in to chat
sharing their piping hot tea and sympathy with her
but her appetite is destroyed
by the sight of the endless abyss
that stretches out before her
surrounded by the cliff
she now teeters on the edge of
one leg in the air, dancing gracefully
as she tries not to fall.
And as she blindly reaches all around
she realizes that no one is behind her
to grab her waist and save her
so she takes a baby step of faith
and finds the blackness holds.
Already she is walking quickly
so fast she doesn’t realize night is coming
until the stars put lights in her eyes
and the shadowed blue cloaks her shoulders.
But nails don’t pierce a nothing
so tonight she does without
her winking and twinkling accessories
and hopes to anything that’s listening
the demons can’t find her here.
Breathless smiles pour over the seas
Enchanting oceans of beautiful memories,
Soothing graces, forever embraces –
Whispering light into the darkest nights,
Firefly inspirations, soothing and kissing nocturnal
Listening to the silence, sensations of hope
Kindness in caresses of June dusk, erasing all the loneliness,
Playing in rhythmic moments, challenging
Hearts to love like no one on earth has imagined,
With love so alive it makes hearts abide
In truths, promises, feelings – precious remembrances
From that last broken heart….
Passions and praises, prayers for penetrating
Grace, calming like the peace of a river, focused
On rearranging the destiny of a teardrop,
Flowing like melancholy, with quiet reflecting stardust
Promises, arranged on the tongue, lulling
Flames of joy through the spirit’s waning, indignant
Gentling, flames vibrating, trembling with hope,
Laughing like the insanity of a dewdrop leaking light
Over the sanctity of a blessing, the miracle
New life erasing the dusty morning, the wind
Blowing back the Autumn’s noise with a soothing
Sense of amazement…
Working out the feelings, the blessings –
Hues of tenderness, affection singing through the veins
Awakening the star studded moments, the secret
Thought, hope glistening in quiet tears,
Faith growing like the ocean’s beneath a hurricane
Bawling like lavender bruises on a heart who heals
When love touches the spirit, remembering
Crying with the elation, the moments of pure bliss
Pouring from a silent shadow, a sincerity
Who realizes that it is only God who can heal
Destroy the dark and shine a light of fulfillment
Through a life who dances, reflecting
The wonder that comes from believing…
A prayer, a heartfelt prayer –
Decides that true joy comes from sincerely
Believing, receiving the forgiveness
Like healing – His hand covering the spirit
With redemption, remembering
Grace like rain, falling gently, caressing and revealing
What it means to listen to His sigh,
His kindness falling tender over each smile,
Erasing all the dread, embracing the faith
Believing that love is the answer to each prayer!
Forever – I’ll praise Him – Forever
I’ll praise… Him, the One who has saved me,
The amazing – the King, the forever that abides within!