Josh Ritter
Song for the Fireflies
After all the lights had died
Out behind the Palisade Park
Fireflies remembered to do
Exactly what they were supposed to
Memories were like coins that tumbled
Somersaulting through the deep
Down every well we threw them in
Until they came to the top again
And out like the sun
In your hair
In your hair
Every month that ends its spin
Is picked up by the moon for keeping
Clean and safe from accidents
Sheltered from the elements
But June is like an echo
Of the sounds we never made
I swear, they find me in my waking hours
Thirty days like poison flowers
The wind in your hair
Like a sigh
Like a sigh
With intermittent rain and shine
The sky restarted six or seven times
It’s blue because it sees
All our infidelities
We both know that it’s been so long
I’m not sure what to say so I hope
Fireflies remember to do
Exactly what it was they used to