THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes: 

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?"

FIRE AND FLIES

"UPTICK IN FIREFLIES"(Austin-American Statesman Friday September 23,2016)Page B4

Lightning Bugs.Luminescent beetles.Points of Light

Evanescent and astonishing.This wettened year rainsoaked us-just like 2015.

And next Spring will probably bring a cascade of fireflies

 Photinus pryalis(Big Dipper) firefly will flash to attract mates

Females do not fly!They watch for signs of life and Light

from those males shining to impress,flashing their brilliance

Mutual attraction comes when the female responds.

They mate and the future is assured(for fireflies!

The female lays her fertilized eggs in damp,soft soil.

Females will mate several times,laying eggs in different locations

From the mud and muck,new larvae flourish

Firefly larvae feed on earthworms,snails and dead insects

They are predacious and omnivorous.More snails mean more fireflies..

Take the photuris genus,which mimics the flash patterns of other firefly species,

which they eat to acquire a defensive steroid-protecting them from jumping spiders.

You can pure them in with a pen light-usually @dusk,between 7 and 9pm

Light never lasts long on this planet.Yet it always returns-in another form!