Our local Lord Mayor’s Procession in July concludes spectacularly, with a brief but rather wonderful firework display. The best thing? We have a direct view of the free light show it provides from our back garden, even if I have to try to balance on the rockery to see it properly. 🙂
Thankfully, there’s a pretty good view to be had from the front of the house as well. No gymnastics required! Several people line the street to ooh and ahh their way through the firework display. I often try to capture some of it on my phone, with mixed results.
Using a firework mode involves trying to hold the phone steady for the few seconds it takes to create the image. Patience is required. As it is for the best things in life. Though I can miss quite a bit by seeking to secure a memory.
Writing about an experience, especially when I pen the poetic, enables me to recover the magic and savour the joy for a bit longer. I actually took the firework images here and was so gratified by the way they turned out!
Fireworks appeal to all age groups. We enjoy the anticipation and delight that ensues. With showers of coloured light appearing out of nowhere. All of us love to experience a bit of wonder in our lives, especially when it’s unexpected and flares like neon in the dark.
God loves to give us unexpected blessings and graces. His hand on the minutiae of our lives is nothing short of miraculous and can often feel magical. Sometimes we see Him in fireworks. Sometimes He’s the quiet voice sitting by the fire with us.
Fireworks
night squiggles
neon bright, flaring sharp
colour dances
a ballet in the dark
we watch closely, entranced
© joylenton
Poetry Joy 
Joy, that second photo, so kinetic and sizzling! What a delightful, annual backyard pleasure. And you’re so right about the unexpected ways that finding expression for our experience extends and deepens the wonder and life applications.
Thanks, Laurie! “Kinetic and sizzling” describe it brilliantly. It was a blessing, to be sure. You never quite know how these night shots will turn out, taken as they are with my shaky, amateurish hands. Poetry is such a delightful medium for remembering and savouring experiences over again, isn’t it? It brings me joy to write about wonder and share it here. 😊💜
Dear Joy,
Oh you’ve captured so well how I feel every year at our annual fireworks displays here in the U.S., especially this:
“colour dances
a ballet in the dark”
This year, as I was having a particularly hard day, I realized that I could see our little town’s fireworks while lying in my bed next to the window. It truly felt like such an intimate dance with our Father. Isn’t it amazing how He can be so intimate with us, during such a public event? He truly does meet us in our moments. This brought tears to my eyes today: ” Sometimes we see Him in fireworks. Sometimes He’s the quiet voice sitting by the fire with us.” Thank you for bringing sweet gifts to my heart today, dear friend. Blessings, love, and hugs to you!
Dear Bettie, oh how lovely to hear of the ways in which God has blessed you similarly! To be able to view fireworks from your bed is a beautiful thing, whereby you can enjoy a time of special intimacy with our loving Father. I’m so pleased you shared your story here, my friend. His word promises God sits very close to us when we are going through the flames and fiery furnace, as well when we are resting our tired bodies after one of those hard days like you’ve described. Sending gentle hugs, blessings and love to you too! xo 💜❤
Joy, I love the photos! Wow! And your poem expresses so well what we see and how we feel as we anticipate and watch fireworks. Yes, they are enjoyed by children and adults! Blessings to you, my sister/poet/friend! Love and hugs! xoxo
Gayl, you made me smile at your exuberant response to this post! I am glad and grateful for giving you a “Wow!” moment. Though I must confess I selected the best shots out of a pretty poor performance overall! Praise God for the rare times when it all came together perfectly! It’s always a joy and blessing to see you here, my friend. Thank you for taking the trouble to leave a sweet comment. Love and hugs to you too! xoxo 💜
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
Even though I struggle with fireworks up close, one of my favorite memories is watching the Fourth of July fireworks as a reflection in the window in Estes Park. From a non-threatening distance with our wee Puppy it was safe and good ❤️🐾❤️🐾
Michael, I’m with you on the struggling with fireworks up close. I was wary of holding sparklers as a child and quite jumpy around jumping jacks and noisy bangers as well! Even whirring catherine wheels had me worried they would spin off the fence my father attached them to. As for rockets, they awed and shook me in equal measure as they zoomed off screaming from a nearby bucket! Your window view sounds wonderful. And far less frightening for your poor wee puppy. Thank you so much for sharing this post! Blessings on the tail end of your week. 🙂 ❤
Lovely! You poem and artwork describe so well what I feel when watching these magnificent displays.
They are enchanting, aren’t they? I never grow tired of watching fireworks or viewing God’s daily artwork in the sky. 😊💜
I love those photos, and a ballet in the dark. I got to see some this year from the driveway, When I lived in Atlanta and we had our old stadium, I could go at watch them any time they decided to shoot them off.
The lightshows and ballet in the dark which fireworks provide for us never cease to have a magnetic attraction. I’m glad you get to see some from your driveway, Rebecca. I’ve not had a stadium view but I bet they’re spectacular! 🌌🎇🎆💟
That stadium was torn down and you could not see them from the new one, I was either still on my porch, the street or a church parking lot, nice memories though.
That’s a shame, but at least you could view the fireworks elsewhere. Blessings on your weekend! 😊💜