Lightning bugs

Summer turned to night

and lightning bugs

were floating at my height,

a skyful of sparks

that winked and disappeared

and reappeared like stars

across the backyard;

I could catch one in my hand

and watch the cracks between

my knuckles glow, amazed

to hold a piece of light

I could carry through the dark,

as if my fist was a tiny house

where people were laughing

in the kitchen.