FIREFLIES by August Mishayev

that summer of gold and green

the season rushing between our 

fingers and through our hair 

together we cast blankets upon 

banks of both river and of sea 

catching radioactive isotopes 

like young children catching 

fireflies 

and together we painted our faces

with remnants of caesium 137 

listening  to tall, tall trees long and 

dream of their silent spring 

; but 

how could we have ever known?

August Mishayev is an educator and writer based in Bangkok, Thailand. When not at work, he can be found traveling throughout Asia with a camera, a journal, and a good book.