When I featured Eve Merriam’s poem How to Eat a Poem a couple of weeks ago, I came across another poem of hers. I thought the wordplay was so clever and full of imagery. While we’re at it, I included the music video of Owl City’s song Fireflies for a little “rhyme music.” The lyrics of the song are just as wonderful, and the video is perfect for a nerd like me. Poetry Friday round-up today is hosted by the lovely Irene Latham of Live Your Poem.
Catch a Little Rhyme
by Eve MerriamOnce upon a time
I caught a little rhymeI set it on the floor
but it ran right out the doorI chased it on my bicycle
but it melted to an icicleI scooped it up in my hat
but it turned into a catI caught it by the tail
but it stretched into a whaleI followed it in a boat
but it changed into a goatWhen I fed it tin and paper
it became a tall skyscraperThen it grew into a kite
and flew far out of sight…
Fireflies
by Owl City
You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep‘Cause they’d fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You’d think me rude
But I would just stand and stareI’d like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It’s hard to say that I’d rather stay
Awake when I’m asleep
‘Cause everything is never as it seems‘Cause I’d get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to danceA foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a threadLeave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
‘Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep
(Please take me away from here)
When I’m far too tired to fall asleepTo ten million fireflies
I’m weird ’cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewellBut I’ll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
‘Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar


Oh, I haven’t read this one in a while! My favorite stanza is the one about starting small and stretching into a whale. I love when that happens! Thank you for this.
And I love the bicycle melting into an icicle…
And the fireflies song and video are gorgeous…
‘Cause I’d get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
How lovely is that! Thanks for sharing these, Fats!
It isn’t often we find verse about fireflies so joyfully being in our lives. I don’t know this Fats. It’s wonderful. I know the Eve Merriam, who is always great. Thank you for the happy post!
Great poem choice!
This must have been the week for song lyrics! Fun!
[...] Rhymes are Hard to Come By [...]