Suburban Jungle
Summer skies, darkening toward night, beckon me to the window for one last look into the garden. Luminous pinpoints flare here and there, fireflies on the search for a mate.
One light pulses unmoving above females perched hopeful in the grass. It's puzzling until delicate shadows appear to flit around the strobing glow.
A spin of the lit form and the beetle's deadly dance partner twines more silk around her prey. Flashes continue, dimmer, weakening.
It winks out forever and I let the curtain fall. A hungry predator survives another night.
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Summer skies, darkening toward night, beckon me to the window for one last look into the garden. Luminous pinpoints flare here and there, fireflies on the search for a mate.
One light pulses unmoving above females perched hopeful in the grass. It's puzzling until delicate shadows appear to flit around the strobing glow.
A spin of the lit form and the beetle's deadly dance partner twines more silk around her prey. Flashes continue, dimmer, weakening.
It winks out forever and I let the curtain fall. A hungry predator survives another night.
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