Lightning Bug Summers

I raised my fingers to my nose and the distinct smell of a squashed lightning bug filled my nostrils.

The glowing smudge lingered for a few seconds before disappearing. However, the smell remained on my hands just like the guilt remained in my heart.

I felt bad that my curiosity had caused me to destroy this amazing creature. But I had to touch this glowing substance and examine it more closely.

I chased and grabbed the air. “Shoot, I missed.” I tried again and secured one final specimen for my mason jar.

I looked at my jar, lid on tight, tiny holes poked in the top with my Momma’s kitchen knife, as the their mysterious butt lights flashed on and off, trapped, with only a few sprigs of grass lining the bottom of their cage.

I let this one crawl on my palm for a few seconds before flying off into the distance.

The same grass tickled my bare feet as dirt formed a thin barrier on my soles while I run around the yard.

My chin still felt sticky from dried up watermelon juice. Watermelon had always been my favorite summer fruit and I had enjoyed a large slice prior to my bug hunt.

Lightning bugs filled my backyard —fluttering and flying high and low, zig zagging, playing a game of hide and seek amongst the trees.

I squinted, trying to follow one with my eyes, and sometimes I could trace its route against the dark night sky.

A blanket of stars covered me and the lightning bugs. I felt small and wondered how much smaller than me the lightning bugs must have felt.

Momma called me to come inside because it was getting late. I looked at my flickering treasures one last time before twisting the lid off the jar and dumping them all out on the ground.

I like to think most made it, but sometimes one or two seemed to struggle to take flight -whether due to a damaged wing or maybe the shock of being handled by a tiny human who was amazed by their magic.

As I recall this childhood memory, my heart is full of summer wishes for anyone reading this. I wish you a sticky watermelon chin, grass between your toes, and most of all that you never lose your simple childlike wonder of the complexity of the lightning bug.

Good night.

#southernsummer #lightningbugs #Tennessee #TennesseeNights