The Moth and The Flame
The moth nearly swooned as he flit toward the flame.
“My sweet spark! My love light! You signaled. I came!
How you dazzle and twinkle and tempt me to touch.
I’d kiss you my darling, if you’d not scorch so much!”
The flame danced and flickered. She’d wax, then she’d wane.
She glowed with a passion that drove moth insane.
But her heart was not his, for another she burned;
A jealous sky-bolter whose jolt she once spurned.
ZZZTT! Lightning flashed! Then wild thunder boomed.
Cold torrents poured forth. The lovers seemed doomed!
“Fear not!” cried our hero. He snatched up a leaf,
And sheltered the flame who stayed dry underneath.
The leaf smoked and sizzled. Eight embers popped out.
“Our children!” cheered moth. That’s what love’s all about.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Come join the fun at Susanna Hill’s blog contest! Write a children’s story, poetry or prose, 150 words maximum, about unlikely Valentines and post it before February 13. Susanna’s contests always garner marvelously creative entries, so I encourage you to click over and follow the links!
WOW! CAthy you are unbelievable!!! This is SO good! And in 129 words. You are out of my league
*blushes* Thank you for reading and leaving a kind comment. It means a lot coming from you!
That was absolute delight from start to finish! SO well done, Cathy!
Thank you for stopping by Beth! I hope you will be submitting an entry too?
Such a cute poem….and thank you for droppiing by youngish.
Thank you! I love reading the entries from Susanna’s followers. Such creative ideas!
Wow!!! That was amazing writing. I loved it cute picture and all. where do I vote, where do I vote……lol.
I’m so glad you dropped in and read my Valentine ditty! You will enter also, won’t you? I hope so!
That is unbelievable. I absolutely loved it!!!! I couldn’t wait to see how it ended….which was clever and creative.
Penny – you’re so kind. You are a master of great endings, so I’m particularly pleased that you liked this one! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Very clever, Cathy! Well done! I’ll have mine up on Monday, so hope you stop by.
Such a fun contest!
That’s great news Renee! Susanna had so many entries in December’s contest. The more Valentines the merrier!
*thunderous applause*
Love it!!
Thank you Jama! Someday I’ll have to write a food-related post in your honor. Your blog always leaves me craving something delicious!
Hi Cathy,
And the ending…so creative…and funny. I enjoyed every moment of reading it.
I absolutely LOVE your rhyme…the descriptive words…the story held me from beginning to end. I could visualize the entire sequence of events…one of the hallmarks of a great picture book story, I think.
Vivian – I thought your “Whom Do I Love?” was wonderful! Thanks for stopping by to read about the moth and the flame!
Oh my! this is so clever. What wit! I adore it! I’ll be reading it to my kiddos and DH tomorrow! This is such a fun read aloud! Love it!
Thank you Angela! I hope your family enjoys it!
I LOVE this! What great rhyme and so original.
Thank you Tzarina (lol). How you have time to read blogs on top of your 12X12 business is beyond me! Happy skiing!
Wow! This is so clever, creative, and well-written. Love it!
Thank you Margaret! It’s always fun to have someone new drop by to read the blog. Cheers!
Beautiful and so cute!
Hi Catherine! Thanks for coming by to read and comment!
I was hooked at the title. Your poem was fantastic! Very clever and a great ending!
Thank you for stopping by Rebecca, and I’m glad you liked the title. Sometimes simplest is best, isn’t it?
How clever is this! You are so creative and the writing is so descriptive! Loved it! Great job, Cathy!
Natalie – I’m so glad that I discovered your terrific blog. Thanks for stopping by and reading about moth!
Cathy, great story. Definitely unlikely Valentines and I admire your ability to rhyme. I’m so sadly lacking in that area.
Hi Tracy – thank you for stopping by and commenting! I was lucky to get some great advice when I was first learning rhyme, and that helped me get up onto the steep learning curve. I am still working hard to master it!
I love this! The rhyming is much better than I ever manage and I love the imagery of the moth and the flame.
I do admire your rhyme Rebecca! I was happy to find some free clip art that suited my story well for the blog post!
Ooooh! The perfect unlikely lovers. Very well done.
Thank you Hannah! They are unlikely, but also so prevalent. Go figure!
Hmm. Let me count the ways this is perfect. Word count, poetry, story — Just perfect.
Aw…you are too kind. I loved Dijon and Belgian, illustrated no less! Hope Enzo gives you a giant Valentine smooch!
This is a vibrant, active, fun, unusual love story. Fab!
Happy Valentine’s Day Joanna! Thanks for reading & commenting!
Very cute and creative!
Thanks Tina. I’m glad you liked it!
This one is just AWESOME! I wish I could write like that!
Thanks for stopping by Erik! You ARE a terrific writer. I still chuckle when I think about Grandma driving the snowplow!
Me too! My heart is all a-flutter in light of your radiant skills!
Aw…I’m using my imagination with yours and guess little ‘squirrabbits’ this spring? Perhaps ‘rabbirrels”?
Cute!
Thank you Alison!
Moth and flame, why didn’t I think of that lol, that was perfect! Great job Cathy
Glad you stopped by Jennifer. Thanks for commenting!
What a great entry! Each one I read is better than the last. Susanna is going to have a hard time picking the winner!
Susanna has garnered such a terrific group of readers. I learn so much from each entry – they are so unique! Thanks for stopping by.
ok, THAT is awesome!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Wonderful! The ending is just perfect! Nicely done.
Thank you Heather! I appreciate you stopping by!
Cathy — You are so creative! I liked everything about this story. It was so concise! Great work!
Thanks for stopping by Eric and leaving me an encouraging comment!
You rhymers just blow me away! Really beautiful job, Cathy!
Thank you Amy! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hi Cathy! I don’t see anywhere on your site how to contact you. Could you send me a message through the comment form on my site when you get a chance? I’d like to chat with you about some poetry!
Your pom is wonderful, Cathy. Very witty word play. I love it!
Thank you Iza!