Fallen Firefly
unbudded willow
at the base
a heart
beating through the branches
the flow of spring
swinging
neither going nor coming
dreaming
on the bridge
the fisherman waits
in luminous reflection
above and below him
the moon
…obscured
ripples in the sea
•
savage shimmering
surface hides
placid darkness
over the hill
a sunrise
rays running
down the ravine—
a midsummer blossom
never to open
most beautiful
on the grass
a bald monk
mourning
night’s
fallen firefly
held in tiny hands
final farewell
by the glow of the moon
•
quarreling lovers
hearts flicker
lightening flashes—
puddles
along the dirt path
muddy tears stream
down wrinkled cheeks
the last of the blossoms
floating dead
in the flooded ditch
memories—
lost beauty
•
autumn leaves
crackling under the mare’s
hooves
her colt,
no longer newborn
grown
bigger, stronger, closer
towards death
a blind man
hunches under a lean-to
over a sparrow
toddling about
strong palms
unaware
of the mother’s watchful eye
•
unwanted love
given
without consequence
inside the hut
a woman weeps
pride and pain
gleam on the edge
of the silver sword
the symbol
of one soul
unpinning black tresses
of hair, the woman
under a red moon
now falling…
like the last of autumn leaves
•
swirling from heaven
then crumbling
on the ground
snowflakes…
momentary perfection
a traveler
walks across
the frozen pond
just before the thaw
of daybreak
before waking
to sunbeams
through the cherry blossoms
beauty, like time…
travels with you
• • •
Natalie Perfetti, Andrew Barnick, Sarah Corso, and Melanie McLay