The Light
A single candle burns so bright
in this night – a sign,
that once upon a happy time,
I was yours and you were mine.
You were mine,
and now you’re gone,
and I am all alone.
The single candle flickers now
as teardrops fall I wonder how
it felt when last you closed your eyes
and left me all alone.
Alone to face the fright of night;
alone to face the Dark.
Alone, I scream with all my might;
alone, I’m torn apart.
Torn apart as shadows close
around my trembling heart;
Gasping from their icy grip,
I give a sudden start.
I start as tears fall from my eyes
onto your sacred flame,
splashing down, they drown your light;
I bow my head in shame.
Is this who I really am?
My knees hit frozen stone.
Is this what I have become –
A crippled, crying man?
No.
A broken man, perhaps, but not
a crippled, crying one.
There is more to life than this;
My race has just begun.
And as I learn, I turn my gaze
and look upon the sky –
The Darkness runs, the shadows fly,
at the Dawn of Morning’s Rise.
The Sun, it warms my heart.
Though you are gone,
and I’m alone,
I shall not cry,
for Morn has come,
and in it’s Light
I find new strength.
In it’s Light
I’m healed.
Haha, thank you! This was actually inspired by a quote I heard over last weekend while I was at the church meeting. One of the preachers there told a story of how he was preaching at a funeral, and one of the old ladies came up to him afterward, smiling a great big grin. He asked her why she was smiling, and she just slid a note in his Bible and gave him a hug.
Later, he opened the note, and then he started smiling.
The note said this:
“Death is like the blowing out of a candle,
For morning has come.”
That quote really resonated with me, and I knew as soon as I heard it that I wanted to write about it. So that’s where this poem came from. :)
November 18, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Nice quote! Thanks for sharing that with us!
November 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm
You’re welcome! And thanks for reading, Janet! :)
November 18, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Tim, OMG. I think this may be your best poem yet!!! I love how you entwined the story of the man and the candle. It adds a lot to the man’s agony.
November 18, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Thank you, Lara!!! Your enthusiasm encourages me. ^_^
And yes, I really liked the idea of the candle (read above), and I wanted to capture the essence behind the man’s feelings, and they just seemed to go hand in hand, so I ran with it (and yes, I know this is a run on sentence). :P
I will also not deny that the music video for A Thousand Years might have had some impact on this poem as well. ;P
November 18, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Adding this to the list of things you’ve written that have made me cry…
When are you going to write a really happy poem or story!? One about… butterflies exploding out of a heart-shaped flower floating in the teacup of a lady who just found her missing glove or something. :P
November 18, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Awww, I’m sorry, Byrd… bah! Who am I kidding? That’s my favorite list of all time! xD ;P
lol! Hey, at least this poem had a nicer ending than my last one. :P
November 19, 2011 at 12:41 am
*facepalm*
Well you make up for it in your cheerier story. :D
November 22, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Hi Tim,
This is beautiful, yet, sad, but loved the imagery! Very well written and is on the top of my favorites! :)
Lauren
November 20, 2011 at 12:21 am
Hello, Lauren!
Thank you very much for your kind words, and I’m flattered to have it among your favorites (and at the top, no less)! Haha! You brought a much needed smile to my face. :)
November 20, 2011 at 12:31 am
Tim,you are a master at bringing tears to the eyes and effortlessly so.simply beautiful.i love the feel of it…thumbs up my dear and yes,this had a better ending!
:)
November 21, 2011 at 3:28 am
Haha, awww, why thank you, Imperfectous! :) I do try my best. lol! Just kidding. ;P
November 21, 2011 at 10:21 am
This is truly beautiful and very profound friend ~ you have touched my soul. I’m so grateful to have come across your blog! Being a poet myself, I really appreciate the way you inspire others (myself now included) and where you pull inspiration from (such as the above quote you shared.) Many blessings and I can’t wait to read more :)
November 28, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Awww, I’m so glad it touched you in such a way, and your words are so kind!!! Inspiration is essential to life – I believe that is why it’s synonymous with “breathing” – so to hear that my words inspired you… that is the highest compliment you could pay me.
Thank you, Jessie. I, too, am grateful you came across my blog (how did you, by the way?), and I’ll try to get over to yours when I have the time. :)
November 28, 2011 at 4:31 pm
You are welcome on my site anytime, kind sir, and I would very much appreciate the visit :) I found yours, because you left a comment I liked on someone elses blog (if I remember correctly.) I’ve also been clicking on peoples profiles who have liked something on a site I have to try and find more poets like myself to befriend (obviously, I’m a newbie and still learning how to navigate!)
It’s such a pleaure to meet you and I look forward to sharing more and reading your posts :)
November 29, 2011 at 11:33 am
Haha, alrighty then!
Ah, very cool! I’m always fascinated how new readers turn up. :P
It’s definitely a pleasure to meet you as well! And I look forward to your thoughts. :)
November 29, 2011 at 11:38 am
this is beautiful… the feel of it is amazing.. and the ending – love it… the transition from pain to hope…wow! one of my top favourites, doubtless… :)
December 2, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Thanks so much, Inosha! I’m really glad you liked it. :)
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts! ^_^
December 2, 2011 at 9:52 pm