The candle burned brightly for so long.
Light shining outward,
Its flame reaching upward.
The wick stood resolutely in the heart of the yellow flicker.

Time took its toll, diminished in its size now,
The candle bears evidence of its long service as a light-giver.

Oh how it still yearns to burn,
Though the wick now short.
The flame dances unsteadily
As the wind tests its determination.

Defiantly, it burns on.

The winds rise.

Gasping, the fire now clings to the wick
As the wind tugs and pulls at the flame.

The fire darts up in a flash of yellow
Then retreats in a faint sputter of blue.
Like an old friend, the flame clings tighter
Not wishing to depart its long-time companion, the wick.

But the unrelenting wind continues.
And the flame, knowing its time to surrender the battle,
Makes its final embrace of the wick

Then it simply, bids a farewell and
Lets go.

And in that moment the glow ceases.
A soft wisp of smoke rises.

The wax and the wick mourn the loss of that which gave it life.

All who cherished the light of this candle,
Now miss its tender glow.

We now sit in darkness, and remember,
In gratitude, the light and warmth it once gave.

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Copyright: Please do not republish any of these writings without first obtaining my permission. (You may contact me by clicking on the Contact Kevin link).  All of my writings are Copyright (c) 2005 Kevin Gourley. All rights reserved.   Any reference to them should also reference the web page address as well.