Catching Fireflies

Into warm evenings on a shadowy road

The children ventured, and once more they knew

Remarkable hours, when points of darkness glowed

With fresh surprise as myriad fireflies drew

Each to imagine stars, but stars at hand,

Come down to share a fragrant earthly night,

Freed from a rigid beauty in that band

Turning eternally with chilly light;

Come down to be the stars that they could hold,

Could cup in secret space their fingers made,

Making a center for a little world

That, when some sign might hint that it might fade,

Could open like a universe, and there

Restore the lightning to the summer air.