WritingsEssays and other writing© David Lyles , Portland Oregon

On Fireworks

On Fireworks

Something spendthrift about a fireworks display where the rockets are
set off many at a time. I want to savor each one individually.
Each is a wonder. Each has its way of amazing us. Each has its beauty.
I've heard the Japanese call them "fireflowers." As they are done, it is
like an entire garden of showy flowers, presented at once, all together.
Overwhelm the senses.
Like a life that burns intensely, yet only briefly, and is burned
out, finished, gone.
Like each is a life, meant to be attended to, and appreciated
in all its splendor. Yet, instead, each is seen briefly, and there
is no chance, no opportunity for reflection upon it, for it
to be remembered. It is lost in the crowd, and quickly
forgotten, for there is always more. Until, soon, always too soon,
there are no more.


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