top of page

Ode to a Candle

Like the stars in the

Dark night,
You shine
Waiting for Someone to blow

You out.

A candle held by

A metal dish,
You melt and wait

Calmly

For your end.

You glow unendingly

Rippling in the dark
Of night
Unafraid to tell the world

Of your presence.

You light the

Earth,

Guiding man

With your

Fire.

All men ought be

Grateful to you,

Candle.
You shine and give

Hope to those

Who have

None.

Candle
Burning,
Waiting for a

Mother to blow out

The light.

White wax
Drips
Down your sides,

Burning more of

Your tall white

Grace.

Black wick

Burning
Left to flow

Seamlessly to

Weary ash

Caught in your

Updraft.

A hand
Holds you

Unafraid of your

Burning
Wax.

No hurt can come

While you rest in

A shining
Metal

Dish.

Flame burns

Lighting the

Way up the

Wooden

Stairs.

Don’t drop

Or surely a

Conflagration

Will occur.

Softly,

Slowly

Your glow

Dies.

A hand

Reaches
Out and
Stops the flame

Candle,
You
No longer
Light the

Wooden stairs to

My bed.

And now
I
Drift
To dream
Of other candles

bottom of page