Little Lights

I remember catching them as a child-
We called them lightning bugs

Our own personal lanterns
inside glass canning jars

We poked holes in
the metal lids so
they could breathe

Our innocent attempt at compassion

Still, there was a strange
sadness seeing them
up close, held captive

Perhaps because lights,
ours and those belonging
to the lightning bugs, are
meant to shine as we are going