Lightning Bugs

Surely lightning bugs are evidence of some fairy dust magic.

Ever an atheist, I rank them amongst the holiest syncopated miracles:

Haley’s Comet, Old Faithful, Great Migrations, the Aurora Borealis…

Fragile pupil-sized creatures orchestrate twinkling candles, multiplying

layering flickers, crescendos illuminating night’s respiration.

I’ll know yet my privilege is lost if when amid shadowy meadows

no swell in me is risen upon first sight of their brief iridescence.

Further, he who pauselessly dismisses a firefly without a trace of wonder

is touchless to me and nary worth more than my detached compassion.

        ~Volpini Amentum Arete Anemone

Solesistic

“Buzzz! Buuuuuuzzzzzz!”

Announcing, the intercom.

His delivery: balanced skillfully,

sliced pizzas and cheesy breadsticks.

Trots away, tallying the cash.

Papa John’s Pizza baseball cap.

Except for that, he’s all pressed

slacks, belt, oxford, business casual.

“Doo---owoup!”

Unlocking, heavy doors.

Gingerly sits down: well maintained

silver 2008 sleek Lexus Sedan.

Drives away, dropping the windows.

“We'll steal away to the dark end of the street…”

Crooning, James Carr.

Cap comes off: salt-n-pepper cropped

slim, sixtyish, six-foot, black man.

*Solecism

1.  an ungrammatical combination of words in a sentence; also:  a minor blunder in speech.

2. something deviating from the proper, normal, or accepted order.

3. a breach of etiquette or decorum.

        ~Volpini Amentum Arete Anemone