fire flowers reflecting

fire flowers reflecting

in the lake, mirroring the light

of the rising moon

We sit on a blanket at the end of the lake, waiting for the sky to get dark enough for fireworks. It's still hot for this Fourth of July celebration even though the sun has left us for the other side of the world. A few stars pinprick the darkness. Finally, at 10 pm, the bang and bursting lights begin. Each colorful fire flower briefly illuminates the black sky, reflecting in the black water. Toward the end of the show, another light begins to glow below the the line of trees. As the explosive display ends, the bright, just-past-full moon rises, lighting our way home.