On this early chill November morning
where are you now, my firefly,
in crystal ground, under log or leaf?
Where is your crew in its dying?
Have your babies wakened
to winter sleep?
I recall how on July evenings, when I came out,
I had long listened for your messages.
Blessings to you for accepting me, my witnessing
your spotted twists free-floating down;
your drifting off and on through moonlit tree,
visits to my wrist, a shoe.
I was happier than happy—
happiest as happy be.
Had you felt my spark
electric energy?
Multiple mystery goes slipping
in and out of my pocket.
And now, these few months hence, there is
this glint on the frost-etched window.
Flash of apt stillness.
A wild-voiced picture:
our pleasure’s twin.
How could I say I know exactly what you are?
By my ear and everywhere I would say!
These light flung words of yours,
not mine, to lend.
Yet, if I could love you so truly and then release you,
would I comprehend what life wishes to teach me
about possessiveness, the brevity of existence,
time itself, worlds of no time?
Most joyful would I leave all the faces of my dwelling.
Sail headlong into far-flung dream,
toward sky’s moon, hunting the sun.
Glimpse heaven in our dancing?
Behold you and my own body, firefly,
before we were born?