Elegy for the Fireflies

Elegy for the Fireflies

By Derek Ehiorobo

There are no stars left hanging tonight.

The night sky stretches in a yawn, 

swallowing everything in sight.

The clouds cough and hiss, the wind

can only manage a whisper, it says

‘no rain will come, only darkness’;

the aftermath of songs ended too early.

I remember lyrics to one about fireflies,

and hum them in my backyard to no audience. 

Only darkness. I fear my body may dissolve 

into the coming mist, like a song performed 

in an empty room.

I hum lyrics to a song about fireflies in my backyard.

I try not to look at the barren jars in my hand. 

There are no stars to catch tonight, only darkness.