A Handful of Fireflies by Lori Yamamoto

quiet lecture to the handful of fireflies journey feels odd discouragement hums low some voices off-key still they sit on the front step good or not good the porch swing keeps swinging i strum same chord move one pebble forward slow sing till stars yawn answers hide in the grass postcard i mail one stamp, maybe two hearts if i’m lucky a single smile is enough numbers don’t count humility tastes like tea swallow the fear warm cup against cold palms under soft moon i try another small tune plink, step, breathe the night stays politely indifferent when luck visits they whisper “we knew all along” i nod and blush they pat the shy cat of hope everyone says your little tune will arrive don’t give up yet the kettle still whistles gentle it’s coming soon they promise into the dusk i tuck the words into my cardigan pocket time walks barefoot down the long gravel road i hum low and meet it halfway with cookies