Firefly Evening

A long-ago summer night

The family went somewhere together

Stepping out of the car,

A sign read

"蛍の夕べ"

"Hotaru no tabe?"

That’s how we, the little siblings,

All pronounced it

(incorrect pronunciation as Japanese)

With a smiling "No, that’s not it,"

Mother’s face was filled with happiness

In the darkness of the thicket ahead,

Tiny, tiny lights

Flickering on and off,

Disappearing and reappearing

Softly, softly

Drifting gently,

They lingered there

Forever kind and serene.

Kota