M. L. Kiser Poet Prose

Its All In the Burning

A candle burns its life away; 
sacrifice to it, is sweet; 
it is a candle’s lot in life.

Candles gift, a light dark cloaked; 
beacon burning bright; 
candles warmth and charm are unmatched by 
anything else, man has made.

Candles birth soft memories; 
lend rest to the eyes and romance to the heart.

Candle has sung many centuries; 
a companion in dark ages; on dark nights, 
its glow can hold childhood terrors, at bay.

Candle songs kept aging sailors company on raging, 
storm-ridden seas.  No bullying leviathan 
would ever cross candle’s path willingly.  
Even sea monsters fear its burning breath.

Candles glow, a dancer on the air, 
dances for everyone; 
candle-tango brings passion to lovers.

No one is alone when candle is near, 
such a light-companion, 
draws others to its domain.  
Candle has gathered friends together in 
taverns to celebrate; 
in hovels, for warmth and at parties of celebration.

By candles gift, we find our way home; 
its welcome warmth, a song of love on an empty, cold night.

When you burn, burn bright and long; 
your light is the warm love that you leave to the world.  
No bulb, LED or solar panel can bestow your gift.

When your flame is gone, when your torch has been passed; 
your legacy will light another’s way to 
faith, hope and love.

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Caren Krutsinger January 17, 2019 at 11:41 PM "When you burn, burn bright and long" - yes, please! Our legacy will be our poetry, our paintings, our cartoons, our children, our yards, our trees. Beautifully done, M.L. M. L. Kiser January 18, 2019 at 6:22 AM That's one of the reasons I write. Thanks so much.

Laura Leiser January 17, 2019 at 3:33 PM Enjoyed your many wonderful thoughts and prose on candles, M.L.! Enjoyed. :) M. L. Kiser January 17, 2019 at 6:38 PM Thank you, Laura; I'm glad.

Freddie Robinson Jr. January 17, 2019 at 1:09 PM Very enlightening poem, (pun intended) ML. A lover of light is a lover of life. Such is the poetic soul of this ink tapestry. You are a supremely talented wordmaester. Aurora bright write. Love and smiles and smiles of joy always. M. L. Kiser January 17, 2019 at 1:14 PM Thanks so much Freddie; that's quite a compliment. I consider you a poetic master. You always seem to choose the appropriate words. Blessings to you.

Vijay Pandit January 17, 2019 at 7:00 AM The candle that burns in your poem is a metaphor I feel. The last two stanzas are super enlightening..So well said MLK:When you burn, burn bright and long; your light is the warm love that you leave to the world. No bulb, LED or solar panel can bestow your gift. M. L. Kiser January 17, 2019 at 1:02 PM Thank you Vijay; I'm glad that you felt it was enlightening. So many pass through this world too briefly; their light is missed and when that happens, we all lose. Blessing to you.