• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Heartspoken

Heartspoken words will never fail you

  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Media/Press Kit
    • About Elizabeth
    • Resources
  • Blog
    • Faith (Connect with God)
    • Connection (Connect with others)
    • Self-Knowledge (Connect with Self)
    • Nature (Connect with the natural world)
    • Note and Letter Writing
    • Books and Reading
    • Writer Resources
  • Need a Writer/Editor?
    • Writing & Editing Services
    • My Portfolio
    • Testimonials
  • Reading room
    • Heartspoken book
      • Media/Press Kit
    • What I’m Reading
    • The Heartspoken Bookshop
  • Contact
Nature’s Magic Night Lights

Nature’s Magic Night Lights

By Elizabeth Cottrell

JUNE 2016: I enjoyed a fascinating article by Melissa Breyer (at Treehugger.com) about why firefly populations are diminishing in some areas (“What’s Happening To The Fireflies?”). It prompted me to republish the post below from 2013 and to read up on these fascinating little creatures.

Fireflies are a bioluminescent species because they can produce their own light. A chemical reaction within the firefly’s light organ produces the light: when an enzyme called luciferase is present, oxygen combines with calcium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP—the energy-carrying molecule of all cells), and a chemical called luciferin (See “How and why do fireflies light up?“). The resulting light is thought to be the most efficient light in the world, with nearly every speck of energy in the chemical reaction emitted as light. Industrial researchers have found many other uses for the enzyme luciferase, and even though it can now be produced synthetically, fireflies are still harvested to extract the enzyme, contributing to the decline in the firefly population. If you’re still curious, you’ll enjoy “14 Fun Facts About Fireflies.” 

Here in the rural Shenandoah Valley, we’re fortunate to still see an abundance of fireflies, but not as many as a generation ago. Do you have fireflies where you live? Have you noticed a change in how many you’re seeing compared to several years ago?


SUMMER 2013: Last year, I saw my first firefly on June 1, but it took another week or two before they became very conspicuous. One night towards the end of June, I got up in the night and looked out the window. Fireflies—millions of them—were illuminating the trees along the edge of the woods like magic sentinels. It was breathtaking and inspired me to write the following poem:

Message of the Fireflies

Orbs of night
Like fairies flickering in the evening

Harbingers of summer
Punctuating the dusk with sparks of light

Beacons of love
Intent on only one thing: to perpetuate the species

Inspirations of God
Listen to the message in their silence:

Dazzle the world with your brilliance!
Shine to light the way for others!
Love with every fiber of your being!
Do what you were born to do!

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin
More
Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathleen says

    June 25, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    Great post, Elizabeth! One of the reasons I love fireflies is that they’re something familiar from my long-ago childhood. I haven’t noticed fewer or more from the old days, but I have noticed they seem brighter here in our Virginia yard than they did back in Iowa when I was a kid. I think that’s because there’s less light pollution here; not only is Staunton skimpy on streetlights but we live on a wooded lot with big trees blocking the moon’s glow. Whatever the reason, I agree with your writings: they’re magical!

    Reply
  2. Cyndi Briggs says

    July 3, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    I love this, Elizabeth! When I lived in Oregon, we had no fireflies (or thunderstorms, or cicadas) and I missed them so very much. Fireflies continue to remind me of how magical the world really is, and are the best part of summer.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Cottrell says

      July 4, 2013 at 9:21 am

      I didn’t realize that there were parts of the country with no fireflies! Yes, those of us who grew up watching Peter Pan and Tinkerbell (and there are now at least two generations of us), certainly feel the magic of these lovely little lights. Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  3. Karen R. Sanderson says

    June 25, 2013 at 7:20 am

    How wonderful, Elizabeth! I love “lightning bugs” (what we used to call them). We don’t see many up here – I wonder why? I do remember running after them as a child, we’d capture some in a jar (for just a few minutes, then let them go). It is the small things that bring the most treasured childhood memories. Thanks for helping me to remember!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Cottrell says

      July 4, 2013 at 9:19 am

      Yes, we called them lightening bugs too, Karen. One time my brothers and I put some in a jar, poked holes in the lid, and for some reason decided to put them under our parents bed. My poor mother woke up in the middle of the night and thought the bed was on fire! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Pamela says

    June 24, 2013 at 9:43 am

    Wonderful poem that ‘capture’ the firefly and all it represents to us as we watch them flit and flirt: summer, joy, ‘seize the moment’ philosophy. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Cottrell says

      July 4, 2013 at 9:17 am

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Pamela! Yes, summer is a special time, and these amazing little creatures seem to epitomize a lot of what we love about it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Get the monthly Compass Points newsletter plus our "Connection Magic" Guide!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Elizabeth Cottrell, aka RiverwoodWriter

Elizabeth Cottrell headshot

I am a freelance writer, ghostwriter, and blogger called to encourage readers to strengthen the bonds of faith, family, and friends and to cultivate the joy and impact of personal, handwritten notes and letters. More Info.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Connect with me!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

What do you want to explore?

Beautiful Notecards from Meriah Kruse Designs

Become a Hope*Writer

I am a Virginia Blogger!

Virginia Bloggers logo

Heartspoken Outreach

Hands holding heart with page title

Write for Heartspoken

Guest posting guidelines title graphic

We love mail!

Heartspoken
P.O. Box 81
Maurertown, VA 22644  USA

Legal Pages

  • Heartspoken’s Privacy Policy
  • Heartspoken’s Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Heartspoken’s Privacy Policy
  • Heartspoken’s Affiliate Disclaimer

© 2022 • RiverwoodWriter, LLC and Heartspoken • P.O. Box 81 • Maurertown, VA 22644 • 540-436-3969