Gloved hands gripped
them tightly, wands
of metal wire, seemingly fragile
yet full of powerful magic.
Lips rounded in oohs,
we were not old enough
to understand the chemistry
of oxidisers and binders.
We knew only bright sparks,
patterns we drew in the dark.
Kim M. Russell, 20th October 2025
This Monday is a sparkler of a day at the dVerse Poets Pub, where we are writing quadrilles with Punam, who sends us Diwali greetings.
Punam reminds us that Diwali is celebrated across India, and tells us that, when she was a child, what excited her most about Diwali was the new clothes and sparklers.
Our word for today’s quadrille prompt is spark, or any form of the word, such as sparkle, sparkler, sparkly, even sparkplug, to include in our poems of exactly 44 words.
writing in north norfolk 
I do remember those… and also how we had them instead of fireworks as they were less dangerous. But only at Christmas
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We had then for Bonfire Night on 5th November.
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This is exactly how I remember sparklers from my childhood! Thanks for this lovely reminder, Kim. I love it.
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Thank you ,Punam. I’m delighted you love it!
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My pleasure, Kim.
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This is lovely, Kim–all those memories, and the innocence of children:
“We knew only bright sparks,
patterns we drew in the dark.”
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Thank you, Merril.
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You’re welcome, Kim!
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love the ending here!!
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Thank you, Gretchen!
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Lovely – Oh how I loved sparklers – a real bit of magic 🪄
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Cheers Ange!
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Such happy memories! I never cared how they were made then either. 😁
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Thank you, Susan!
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Kim, Ihope every reader has experienced the magic of sparklers. Lovely poem!
Hope you are feeling better, my friend.
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Thank you, Lisa. I’m feeling a bit better, but it’s taking time. I just hope I’m OK before Ellen and the boys come up next week for Louie’s birthday.
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You’re welcome. Glad you are on the mend. Knowing Ellen and the boys are visiting has got to help ❤
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I love the idea that innocence brings more pleasure – I used to like the smell of sparkles too!
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Thank you, Jae. Yes, that smell brings back memories.
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Sparklers are still big around here. They are often used to celebrate the 4th of July and some couples use them at weddings. My inner child still enjoys these and writing my name in lights. haha
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Oh, me too, Truedessa!
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Love this! 🎇❤️
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Thank you, Lisa!
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I was never really impressed with sparklers. I wanted explosions! There is still a Proustian effect to sparklers though.
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I can’t say I’m surprised you wanted explosions, Shaun. Most boys and men do. But sparklers are better indoors!
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Maybe that explains it. We only ever had sparklers outdoors. Too much flammable material in the house in the 70s and 80s!
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I loved running around with them as a kid. Sparklers were a very primal joy.
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Me too!
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Love this, Kim! My childhood was brighter because of the sparklers!
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Thank you, Carol. I still love them, but only once a year.
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Great poem about sparklers!
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Thank you, Jay!
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I so loved my memory being stirred – sparklers were such fun as a child, we still get them for new years here, they’re the only legal remnant of bonfire night you can buy in my state.
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Oh, wow I can almost smell them, it was such fun to play with sparklers. Drawing in the air.
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Thanks so much, Dianne.
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