Fireflies

Dark contrasting against bright lights
moon reflecting on a quiet lake
animals peering through the woods 

headlights passing along the empty highway
and in the open fields on a summer evening
when Venus is easy to find in the sky 

fireflies, like surreal creatures, flashing
on and off in the darkening light
awakening the senses to a carefree summer 

telling stories after swimming in the lake
chasing the cousins through the trees
meeting the kids from across the water 

falling in love, hiding in the long grass
watching fireflies, like stars in the sky
evening temperatures make clothes sticky

moist skin now liquid with sweat
decide to go skinny dipping into cool water
then another run along the beach  

until the summer storm
tears up the peace bringing an end
to vacation leaving only memories.