Skip to main content

catch and release

running barefoot
across the open lawn
of my wonder church
in hot pursuit of 
lightning bugs 
i am ten years old 
yes i am 
i'm just big
for my age
cupping my hands
i wait 
i catch 
from steepled forefingers
i watch morse code
freedom songs
i open the doors
and send back
to the night
her earth stars

~ Rene Foran


Friday Poetically

Comments

  1. KyddrynJuly 24, 2009 at 1:37 AM

    Oh, how I love the little star-cousins, flashing their morse code "love me, love me, here I am", glowing semaphores of the evening.

    The wonder on my son's face when he coaxes one to land on his finger is a treasure. Thanks for the reminder of that sweetness.

    Shade and Sweetwater,
    K

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alyson | New England LivingJuly 24, 2009 at 1:38 AM

    I love this one! I never saw a firefly until I was 29 and I find them magical, every summer since.

    ReplyDelete
  3. anonJuly 24, 2009 at 2:53 AM

    There's a real simple truth here, really living is about wonder, and the time for wonder is always upon us, it;s never too late to feel it.

    Really sweet Rene, you took me back and brought me forward all at once.

    we call them fire-flies : )

    ReplyDelete
  4. Woo222July 24, 2009 at 7:10 AM

    I love this! It really made me smile and it almost made me cry, I don't know how to explain it. It is wonderful! Your work is always so pleasantly surprising! ~Susan

    ReplyDelete
  5. mzbehavinJuly 24, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    You are an inspiration........ ( but I'd like a peek inside your brain.... So I could see how a "real" brain looks..... mine is full of wisecracks.... and lots of "Ben& Jerry's".....)

    I left you something over on my blog.....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chuck DilmoreJuly 24, 2009 at 12:27 PM

    you are
    the best of
    all worlds...
    a woman-child woman.

    with a great imagination.
    and zest. and creativity.

    your moment is also now.
    C

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yeo KeeHuiJuly 25, 2009 at 1:36 AM

    Firefly means so much to so many people in their lives. it lights up my life when the light goes off. Just wonder how bright the light can be with that tiny body when the night is dark.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Samantha GJuly 25, 2009 at 11:28 PM

    Thank you so much for including my drawing with this poem. It is a wonderful poem and I feel honored to have my artwork accompanying it!
    -Samantha

    ReplyDelete
  9. VictoriaMay 6, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Such a delightful image you paint--I love "wonder church"!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Brian MillerMay 6, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    smiles. this is lovely...i love catching fireflies! even if i am no longer nine...earth stars...nice...

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMay 6, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    Oh, this is stunning in simplicity and in depth - in the capturing and release of fire fly, you've caught the child and freed her. Beautiful poem!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ReflectionsMay 6, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    I remember those! What a fun time, fascinating trying to figure out how they lit up. :( We don't have them here in Calif.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousMay 6, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    you seem to have done well. #enjoyed.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Henry ClemmonsMay 7, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Great memories of chasing down lightning bugs. Loved the movement of the piece. Great clear voice. Skill.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anna :o]May 7, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Lovely illustration of the innocent joys of childhood.

    Anna :o]

    ReplyDelete
  16. Casey FreelandMay 8, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Lovely. If I could go back there for just a moment, just a breath. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  17. CarolynMay 9, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    What a sweet post!

    San Diego Mobile Notary

    ReplyDelete
  18. MarianMay 9, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    honestly, my favorite sub-sub-genre is poems about fireflies. this is beautiful, rene.

    ReplyDelete
  19. hedgewitchMay 10, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    You make me proud to be a pagan, dear.

    ReplyDelete
  20. dustusMay 10, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Brought me back to summer nights as a kid. Thanks. Great write!

    ReplyDelete
  21. FireblossomMay 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    "glow little glow worm, glimmer...shine now, don't get dimmer!"

    Oops, I meant fireflies! This was sweet and magical, Rene.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMay 10, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    I wish I had written this. 'Nuff said.

    ReplyDelete
  23. signed...bkmMay 10, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    So glad you sent back her earth stars...what a lovely way to view lightening bugs....dreamlike write..bkm

    ReplyDelete
  24. BubbaMay 11, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    It's a warm summer night when the fireflies take flight.

    Nice One Shot.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ann GrenierMay 11, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    A simple and lovely, lighthearted image Rene.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Carrie Van HornMay 11, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    This is a delightful read Rene....love it! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. ayalaMay 11, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Love it...makes me feel like a little girl again :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. MargaretMay 11, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    We all desperately need to let our inner child go more often and enjoy life. I love the artwork and am on my way to her blog to check it out. Lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousMay 11, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    lovely reflection..

    well done.

    check out short story slam and welcome your submission.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Laurie KolpMay 12, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    Refreshing and sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  31. UnknownMay 12, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Whimsical flow and development, enjoyed the last 3 lines especially. Wonderful write ~ Rose

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please drop a penny in a poet's hat :

Popular posts from this blog

bridesmaid

Image via Magpie Tales i won't be leaving here with you nor will you be staying with me for any longer than you see fit that is just the way of it it is the silent refrain of my being i won't be leaving here with you but i will stay, until my time is done as your ceremonial chosen one no, this won't be my last tour though it is the first time i won't be leaving here with you shh, now, darling. this is what i do i see it in your eyes, our time's drawing to a close. please don't mind  the tears  they come, they go, it's true... i won't be leaving here with you Rene ~ December 8, 2012
40 comments
Read more

blue willow

i don't like eggs but you knew this already i know you're thinking such a terrible waste but it's not, you see i'm feeding them to the dog she loves them just as much as i know she loved you and the way you walked her as if every single thing she sniffed mattered to you as well sorry, dear pardon my red wine opera crowd violin string tugging (your words) i ramble at breakfast like a fussy percolator but you knew this already morning is when i am most honest and vulnerable i know that's why you left after dinner oh god dammit you i miss you so much what i did before us is a mystery and what i do now is insanity i'm frying up eggs just to smell them again and to perhaps coax you down, from wherever you are for breakfast did you know i believe that there is still a ghost of a chance Rene Foran ~  April 2011 photo by Tess Kincaid for Magpie Tales click for more info
46 comments
Read more