I’m welcoming summer in with a few of my favorite things, summer solstice, milkweeds, and fireflies! As soon as the fireflies were out I knew summer had begun. Hope you had a wonderful Solstice. Here’s another firefly haiku and one more firefly poem by Robert Frost.
catch luminating
light of lovely fireflies
through each evening night
© 2017 Michelle Kogan
FIREFLIES IN THE GARDEN
By Robert Frost
Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,
And here on earth come emulating flies,
That though they never equal stars in size,
(And they were never really stars at heart)
And here on earth come emulating flies,
That though they never equal stars in size,
(And they were never really stars at heart)
Read the rest of Robert Frost’s poem at the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Friday Roundup is being hosted by Heidi Mordhorst at my juicy little universe where she’s featuring a beautiful Diamond Acrostic poem by her students, thanks Heidi!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Adorable! Believe it or not, I had never seen a firefly until I was married. I’d just thought they were magical mythical light-sources. Now I still think they’re magical. I have a special little heart-dance reserved just for fireflies.
Sounds like rich poem material to me Kat– your “magical mythical light-sores.”
Like Kathryn, I’m not from firefly country…so I equate them with the fairies in Peter Pan. Thank you for bringing fireflies to me, and for your watercolor, too. A peaceful beginning of summer to you and yours ~
Hi April, thanks! I think Peter Pan is a fine place for fireflies, they both have much whimsy and magic within. Happy summer to you too!
I love how you show the light of the fireflies. They are the visible heart of summer to me. I got your poetry postcard, and I love it! Thank you, thank you! Is it okay if I share it in a post soon?
Hi Brenda, thanks–their light is magical! I wonder if they know how many of us are mesmerized by them . . . Yes fine to share, I’m going to place the postcard in my Etsy shop soon, if you can let me know when your post would be up, thanks!
Great, thanks! If you want me to put a link to your etsy offering, give me a link once it’s up. I’d be happy to mention that for you.
I love it! I wrote a haiku about fireflies this week, too. Their light show has been astounding this summer.
Thanks Kay, I have to check yours out. Their light is a part of summer I look forward to!
I think you know that we don’t have fireflies in Colorado, though I grew up with them in Missouri. It’s just too dry. I do remember that once they began rising, we knew it really was summer. Your poem is just right, and thanks for Frost’s words, too, Michelle. Happy Summer!
Hi Linda, thanks! I lived in Colorado for almost a year but don’t remember about the fireflies. Maybe because there is so much beauty there, and I had abruptly transplanted myself there at the young age of 20.
Really beautiful painting! You are so talented. Love your haiku as well and Robert Frost’s poem. I hadn’t read that before. Thank you for sharing it!
Hi B.J. thanks! I love the playful and lyrical sense that Robert Frost brought to his poem.
Lovely. I adore fireflies, but we don’t see them in New England until it really heats up. The Frost is new for me, too. Thanks!
Thanks Christie! Hope you get some heat soon for the fireflies to light up your skies.
I love them too! My “family journal” always records the first sighting of lightning bugs, as I grew up calling them, and I have a short mosquito/firefly poem in my Pumpkin Butterfly book–not haiku, but similar to your small handfuls of flyfire. May your days be long and full of that!
What fun to record the fireflies arrival, marking a seasonal time. I’ll have to check out your “Pumpkin Butterfly” book.
You and Mr. Frost make me want to write a poem about lightning bugs/fireflies! So far, this has been a good year for them. I like the looks on your wee buggies’ faces in your painting. They are obviously having an important conversation. Also, I like the glow reflected on the leaves.
Thanks Tabatha, Frost’s poem is delightful! And the fireflies magical glow–I think there are many more stories there in that light.
What a lovely post! Your art is beautiful and I love your haiku. Nice to see Mr. Frost here today, too. Fireflies are the most magical part of summer.
Hi Jama, thanks! A “magical part of summer,” yes indeed they truly are, and inspirational too!
Magical! The alliteration in your poem mimics the lulling, humid air of a summer night, lazing on the porch, watching fireflies.
Thanks Laura, thanks! I like your lazing summer nights, hope to fit some in this summer.
We rarely see fireflies anymore due to mosquito control. It’s a childhood memory. I love this poem from Robert Frost. I vaguely remember doing something with this with students. Wish I could remember what. All the l’s in your poem roll off the tongue. Happy Summer!
Thanks Margaret, I’m enjoying all the memories that these fireflies are stirring up in many of us.
These haiku remind me of my childhood. I loved fireflies. Our neighborhood used to only have a few houses and there were these empty grassy lots where you get to see a few of these beautiful creatures. Thanks for sharing. lovely poems.
Thanks Iphigene, I’m picturing your memory–glad you shared it too!
Look what I read this morning: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/deep-lane-june-23rd-evening-first-fireflies
Isn’t it a cool coincidence that the dates are the same? I love your poem and picture.
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Michelle, your illustration and poetry speak volumes of what summer has to offer. I captured your image poem and placed it in my folder for my next gallery, Sunkissed Summer-a perfect opener of the season. Is this fine to place it in my next gallery (reminds me to get back to Springsations).
Thanks Carol, and I’m fine with the fireflies journeying to your Sunkissed Summer blog!
Thanks for a new-to-me Robert Frost poem, along with your two. An abundance of fireflies — just like we have this summer. They were as much a miracle to me when I moved to Ohio from Colorado and Texas as redbuds were!
Two of my summer favorites–milkweed and fireflies! Thanks for sharing these and the Frost poem, which is new to me too.
I wish we had fireflies here, they sound so magical!
Welcome, summer, we’ve missed you so!! Please don’t think you have to go! 🙂
As many others have said, fireflies are a favorite memory. I’m not sure why we don’t have as many as we used where I live. Your poems (and Frost’s) make me miss them even more. Thanks for sharing!