24 Comments
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James Gilbert's avatar

I loved the description of the cornfields lit up by the fireflies! You captured the moment well.

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Melody Trowell's avatar

“When cornfields light up like stadiums” is brilliant!

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Tohru Inoue's avatar

Yes, that line.

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L. Adams's avatar

You’ve captured the beauty of these summer evenings, speaking as an Ohioan.

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Hannah Christmas's avatar

“When there are sacred things happening

in the quiet buzz of a summer evening.” I read that as I hear it through my windows right now. There really isn’t anything like a summer in the Midwest.

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Lisa M. Johnson's avatar

Lovely Rosa! Reminded me (inspired me) of my own firefly experience during our days in WV. Hope your transition goes well!

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Jen Niemann's avatar

Rosa, loved the poem! As a native Ohioan, my earliest summer memories revolve around catching “lightening bugs” in jars and making our own twinkling lights from them (always released of course!)

Your poem reminded me of all the blessings I’ve grown up with living here that not everyone gets to experience! 🙂

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Amanda Nowlin's avatar

But what about magic?

What about mystery?

I love this. Totally resonated. We were visiting rural PA last week and I was completely overwhelmed with the amount of fireflies lighting up the hay fields. Livng in South Florida I think I have only seen a handful of the little marvels in my whole life. Magical is just the right word

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Megan Willome's avatar

"How it can make us sit with darkness

just long enough to interrupt it. "

My favorite line.

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Alex Dawson's avatar

Beautiful!!

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Tristan Dueck's avatar

What a magical poem Rosa✨

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Sarah Elizabeth's avatar

Definitely in the city over here (Kansas City), but still the Midwest! I felt like I rediscovered fireflies last week when I looked out my bedroom window and saw them lighting up the yard. It took me back to childhood. They are so magical ✨

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Aberdeen Livingstone's avatar

I'm a girl in love with cities but you captured what I loved in the years I spent living in Kansas—there is something about the Midwest, and more rural American areas in general, that's hard to name but is a sweet kind of longing and contentment all wrapped up together. And you did a beautiful job putting it into words!

Also, where in the PNW are you going?? I'm headed to Vancouver this fall so maybe we'll be closer! And I'm very excited for the title announcement. :)

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Laura Chahin's avatar

Rosita,

I loved the nostalgia I could sense from your every word. Ohio welcomed you and now you said goodbye, but also thank you in such a magical way, by highlighting its unique beauty, and the simple things that caught your eyes.

As a firefly lover myself I replayed the video more times than I’d like to admit. So pretty!

Sending blessings and so much love to you, the family and your writing heart.

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Bethany Peck's avatar

Lovely :)

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Zane Paxton's avatar

Love this! You nailed it, Rosa.

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Laura B.'s avatar

Such a lovely poem, Rosa. A beautiful farewell. I can’t imagine a summer without fireflies (who knows, with climate change they may show up in the PNW soon, tho I hear they are in danger of not surviving it), but I am sure there will be other bits of magic where you are heading! And…what?? You have a poetry collection coming out soon? That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to hear more!

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