Candlelight

[Hawkman]

When you light a candle
the flare thrusts back the darkness,
blinds you, then bathes you and your world
in its golden glow.

Even if you snuff it out,
in the dark, the wick still glows
and the ribbon of smoke
can reignite its flame.

But only if the spark
is re-applied in time;
leave it, and the acrid stink
will fill your nose,

catch in your throat,
choke you—
until you get used to the smell

or open a window.

[krishna_lit]

or open a window.

The last line brought in all the light, after all, that is what it is meant to do: Open a window.... Very nice piece overall.

[Twota]

I like the first two stanzas the most. :3

"the ribbon of smoke" << loved it. :D

[Hawkman]

krishna_lit: thanks for reading. Not sure I quite follow your remark about the last line - a window lets in light anyway, providing it's daytime ;) but if one lit a candle for its light at night this probably wouldn't apply... Opening the window would certainly let in some fresh air though :)

Twota: thank you too. Glad you liked it, even if only for the first couple of stanzas :D

I've been playing with this a bit. I was conscious that the initial post wasn't worded as well as it could have been. S2L1 which said, "Even when you snuff it" was a bit funny because "snuff it" is a euphemism for dying. Lol I'm afraid I was lazy and just couldn't think of the obvious fix at the time. Of course, I did later, and then I messed up the edit because my browser throws a wobbly in the edit screen. So I had to edit it again to put it right. I also added a word to S3 and changed source to spark in L1 of this verse. I think it's better now.

It says every silver lining has its cloud lol.

Live and be well - H

[Sampson]

The phrase that came to my mind when I read that poem was 'old school'! I always find I appreciate such a beautifully observed account of such a simple act... This poem struck a chord with me (:

[krishna_lit]

krishna_lit: thanks for reading. Not sure I quite follow your remark about the last line - a window lets in light anyway, providing it's daytime ;) but if one lit a candle for its light at night this probably wouldn't apply... Opening the window would certainly let in some fresh air though :)



I'm not talking about morning light or sunlight... I took the poem and especially the last line in different way - When you open the window of Mind and Heart, you feel the Illumination.

[Hawkman]

Well, if you want to read it that way, then please feel free to do so :) As an extended metaphor the poem can have a number of interpretations. I leave it to the reader to take what they will from it.

Thanks again for reading.

Live and be well - H

[AuntShecky]

"Out, out, brief candle," you mean? I read it less as metaphor than as imagistic, looking at ordinary objects with new eyes, the sort of thing William Carlos Williams delighted in: "No ideas but in things."

[Haunted]

I laughed a little with the last line. Dunno, there's a bit of comic relief, after a strong built-up as soon as the poem opens. Certainly not how I expected it to end, so the surprise is really nice and rewarding.

[Hawkman]

Hi Auntie,

Well when I said extended metaphor I'm not sure that I equated it with the whole of life, which is where your brief candle reference would seem to lead, but then I guess it could be. I was thinking more of life experiences. However, so often the simplest things can be given deeper interpretation by a reader so minded. Sometimes, though, the simple is just that ;) Thanks for reading :)

Hi Haunted. Thanks to you too. Glad you got a giggle out of it. Always happy to make someone smile :D and very happy that you were rewarded for the effort of reading.

Thanks again to you both.

Live and be well - H

[Delta40]

Snuff it out = murder. I would not want to get used to that smell and would give myself up by opening a window....

[Hawkman]

A rear one, no doubt ;)

Live and be well - H

[DocHeart]

Masterful as usual. Beautiful image of light "thrusting back" darkness there at the beginning.

Seeing as you're quite liberal in allowing us to read this the way we want to, I'm thinking about employing the concept to communicate to younger salesmen the need to follow up on meetings with clients. When the mad breeze of daily working life extinguishes the spark the meeting created, you have to get on the phone to them and make them remember you. Otherwise you begin to choke on the smoke, and I open the window and hurl you out of it.

Who said poetry has nothing to do with management? :P

Thanks for sharing!

DH

[Hawkman]

Hi Doc: Defenistration is certainly a novel, if not entirely poetic, management technique, and certain to make an impression on the workforce - and the pavement. :D

Many thanks for reading and appreciating.

Live and be well - H