I pretend that fireflies

Come around to remind me

That there’s more than one light

That the mask I wear everyday

Isn’t the sign of

Something nefarious

Instead I add some words

To the strange adage

The truth shall set you free

I add: Maybe if they don’t kill you

Right away

And as I hurriedly walk past

My eyes lowered

My breath quick

I think not of the treeline

With strange fruit

Hanging like apples

I prefer to think

That fireflies are coming

In the heat

To make me think

We’re safe