Wish Upon A Glowworm

     Imagine…

     A subtle darkness surrounds a small boat as it glides through the cave on silky water. The sound of breathless anticipation permeates the cavern air. Anticipation claws at people’s innards as they lean forward searching for light. Then Heaven presents itself - spreading its light across the roof in thousands of tiny blue lights. You’ve spilled into a pocket of stars.

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     The sight is mesmerizing. It is a galaxy underground. 

     Each little child turns their face up in wonder and makes a wish upon a star. Even those who have felt as if they lost their happy skepticism, due to our taciturn expectancy for speaking of miracles, can not help but feel their spirits lifted. Wishes waft in the air - little girls dream of ponies, and boys of Beebe guns, young men and women wish for first kisses and true love, while dewy-eyed newlyweds dream of happily ever afters. Those who feel more worn and weary merely wish for days without work which can instead be spent with smiling faces of loved ones. Though none feel the yearning for Heaven more keenly than those whose joints are creaking and backs bowing. Their wish goes up as if a silent wisp of prayer, thanking God for this glimpse of miraculous beauty.

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     The stars drip from the ceiling creating a web of dreams, luring prey to their hungry fire. Flying insects are not the only hypnotized being as they observe the phenomenal glow. But, people will come and go, their souls perhaps left reaching for Heaven, and their childhood fancies stirred once again. The fliers however, are skittering through a sticky minefield they may not escape.

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     This galactic phenomenon is made up of thousands of little bodies, larvae termed Arachnocampa luminosa; or, as they are more commonly called; glowworms. They seek out darkness where they can glow in their cave unceasingly unless disturbed with light. The larvae drop webs to ensnare prey. Once the unsuspecting insect is hooked by the luminescent fisher, the worm takes a turn reeling in the bug for a change; the roaming flier is devoured, and the glowworms continue to mimic a celestial sphere.

     This enchanting cave is located in Waitomo, New Zealand. Their tourist website tempts readers to join them on their boat ride, saying, “Marvel at Mother Nature's light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Meander underground along the Waitomo River and gaze in silence at the myriad of glow worm lights that make up the Glowworm Grotto. As you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights, you'll immediately experience a serene ambience and be fascinated and intrigued by tiny glowworms that light your way”(Waitomo.com).

Till then I simply wish upon the image procured by my fanciful mind, that someday I will see an underground heaven of glowworms.

Works Cited:

Merritt, David J., and Sakiko Aotani. "Circadian Regulation Of Bioluminescence In The Prey-Luring Glowworm, Arachnocampa Flava." Journal Of Biological Rhythms 23.4 (2008): 319. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 4 Oct. 2015.

"Waitomo Glowworm Caves." Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Web. 4 Oct. 2015. <http://www.waitomo.com/Waitomo-Glowworm-Caves/Pages/default.aspx>. 

Photos credit can be found by following the caption below the picture which will take you to the link where I obtained the picture.