They Shine at One Another

Based on “Consolations of an Affair” by James Tate.

My lights – they shine at one another
Softly lulling with each other.
Maybe they shall go to sleep.

The fireflies – they quietly watch
still swimming through
that sky, that sea
They know nothing of the bigger fish
for them those lights shining at night
are their family, are their kin.

I’ve discovered I don’t need
lights to wake or lights to weave
One night owl lies gently awake,
like a sentry – near that lake.

Those fireflies are floating high
above that mirror, that pond
In the sky.