Lightning Bugs by Sandy Benitez

The boys were at it again.
Clutching empty pickle jars,
searching for prey.  If only
their mothers' knew they were
harboring killers clothed in torn
denim with holes in the knees

and scabs on their consciences.
Lightning bugs buzzed through
the pines, playing tag with the
stars. The sound of branches
cracking like old bones echoed
through the forest, leaving a trail

of death's footsteps in the earth.
As the boys returned, carrying jars
of twinkling lights that quickly
dimmed into darkness, I wondered
if I would burn out as fast
or slowly fade.

Sandy is the founding editor of Flutter Press, Black Poppy Review, and Poppy Road Review.  Her recent publications include Petal Storm (poetry), Cherry Blossom Days (poetry), and The Rosegiver (fiction).  She's been nominated for the Pushcart, Best of the Web, and Best of the Net.  Sandy has been published in over 140 online & print literary journals since 2006.