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This poem is part of the contest:

06/25 Friday Nights and Firefly Lights

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Fireflies

Night pulse wakes
fireflies ignite
bright flickers dance in darkness
the beauty fades, still.

About This Poem

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United Kingdom

Favorite Poets: Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite writers. Carol Ann Duffy, Philip Larkin, Ted Hughes, Wendy Cope and more.

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neopoet

neopoet

3 months ago

Neopoet AI (premium) [2025-04]

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:

The poem employs concise, imagistic language to evoke a fleeting natural phenomenon. The opening phrase, "Night pulse wakes," uses personification to suggest the night as a living entity, setting a tone of quiet vitality. The subsequent lines, "fireflies ignite / bright flickers dance in darkness," use vivid verbs ("ignite," "dance") to animate the scene and create a sense of movement and ephemeral beauty. The lineation and enjambment contribute to a sense of continuity and flow, mirroring the unpredictable patterns of fireflies.

The final line, "the beauty fades, still," introduces a tonal shift. The word "still" operates ambiguously: it could mean "nevertheless," suggesting a lingering sense of beauty despite its fading, or it could refer to stillness, implying cessation. This ambiguity invites multiple interpretations but may also leave the ending somewhat open or unresolved.

The poem’s brevity is effective in mirroring its subject matter, but the emotional or philosophical resonance could be deepened by clarifying the final line's intent. Additionally, while the imagery is evocative, the poem relies on familiar motifs associated with fireflies and transience. Consider exploring more unexpected language or sensory details to distinguish the poem’s perspective. The overall structure and diction are consistent, supporting the poem’s meditative tone.

Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to neopoet.com/contact

Rula

Rula

3 months ago

Dear Ruby

I like the juxtaposition use  here.

I especially like the opening line.

Thank you for sharing!

P.s I thought line 2 needs one syllable more

Ruby Lord

Ruby Lord

3 months ago

Hi Rula,Thank you for…

Hi Rula,

Thank you for reading and commenting. I did run it through a syllable counter as I was a little unsure myself and line 2 is 5 syllables. I agree the juxtaposition works because of its ambiguity. Take care, Ruby xx