Silent Explosions, Please
The firefly
Gives light
To its pursuer.
~ Ōemaru
The firefly gives gleams,
Green light to its pursuer.
Green again, again.
~ A haiku by Ōemaru westernized by Phillip Whidden
Its green is life, permission, yes, and go.
The green is slight . . . slight . . . slight, and yet means yes
In twilight turning dark. The blinking glow
Is meant for someone else. It means to stress
The sex appeal of urgent maleness, love,
To females in the light of fading day.
The gleaming floats and hovers there above
Them, hoping they will rise and find him, sway
To urge him in the loving air of heat,
That they will all pursue him, that his hex
Of palest green will make them want to meet,
Transfiguring the sunset into sex.
Pursue me, wings with need, and turn the air
From dimness to an ecstasy of flare.
~ Phillip Whidden