Let's go searching for fireflies
She shrieks and claps her hands
I roll over
Look out the window
Hotaru-gari
She mumbles
Have you been drinking Hatter's tea
I ask
No silly
The Reverend taught me
I learnt all sorts of words
They can be like sums
Round and soft
Or hard and sharp
Like fireflies are crisp and glowing
And clouds are soft and wandering
Some clouds predict
Good fortune
He said that is called zuiun
I see the sunlight filtering through
The green leaves
Swaying in the breeze
The tree branches
Like fingers
Tenderly holding onto them
Before they fall to the ground
And get swept away
Just like fireflies she says
They get swept away in the wind
We have to be quick to find them
Maybe tomorrow
I say
My body feels too heavy
To be chasing today
A cloud full of rain
Ready to pour
Like thick cream on bread
She doesn't mind
She is happy
Watching out the window
Making up stories
Playing with words
As I drift away
I wonder
There must be stories she hasn't told me
There is in an unwritten rule
Not to ask
We must both have our own fortunes
Even though we are joined together
That is the way it must be
The way the words
Must fall.
This is my new favourite of yours, Jae. It tells such a sweet and interesting story, explaining the unfamiliar words, dreaming of chasing fireflies............I especially love the ending - the tender "this is the way it must be - the way the words must fall." Sigh. Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you wove the prompt words you chose into your poem and infused it with Hatter’s tea, Jae. It reminded me of the place I used to go for lunch or tea with my daughter and grandson – everything was based on the Mad hatter’s tea party. I was delighted to see that you included Lews Carroll and his love of words and sums – like fireflies, ‘crisp and glowing’.
ReplyDeleteNicely told inclusion of prompt words/phrases, JR. have a great day.
ReplyDelete"The Reverend taught me
ReplyDeleteI learnt all sorts of words
They can be like sums
Round and soft
Or hard and sharp
Like fireflies are crisp and glowing"
Delightful words Jae
Happy Wednesday
Muchđź’–love
You always have little nuggets of truth nestled within your poems. Bravo
ReplyDeleteI love this Jae. By the way, we have a used bookstore here in town called "Hatter's" perfect I think.
ReplyDeleteYour poetry is certainly reaching the heights Jae with such pieces such as this. It is so full of feeling and understanding. Brilliant in fact!
ReplyDeleteDelightful! And the conclusion makes me stop and think. How do we even know our own depths? But happy play is always a good way of being, I think.
ReplyDelete