Streetlights are like fireflies,

They try to mimic the stars,

In all their beauty and light.

Naturally, they fail,

Unnatural in their essence,

But do they not brighten the night?

Can we blame them?

For striving to perfection,

Impossible standards to achieve?

Do we not attempt the same?

Are we not told, yes, you can,

If you only believe?

These not-stars,

Industrialized and fluorescent,

Shed a harsher light on the earth.

But don’t we need it?

The cruel truths of creation,

Uncorrespondent of worth?

Do they reflect,

Our dreams and aspirations,

Falling short?

Short of expectations,

Of the achievements of others,

Do our views shift?

Then again,

Perhaps too much thought,

Has gone into streetlights.

They are not stars.

They never could be.

But maybe they’re even better.