Aaliyah O'Neil | + Follow Poet |
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Out, Out, Brief Candle

(Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5)

Out, out, brief candle—flicker, fade,
A tiny light in life’s grand parade.
For life’s but a wisp, a fleeting flare,
A moment’s breath in the cosmic air.

We light our candles, then they die,
In the blink of an eye, we sigh.
But what if life’s not a race to chase,
But simply a candle in a cluttered space?

A spark of hope, then out it goes,
Like morning fog when the sun bestows.
Yet in that flame, we seek our fame,
Chasing shadows, never quite the same.

Oh, but the candle’s wax does melt,
And with it, all the dreams we've felt.
It flickers in the winds of time,
And still, we call that short life "sublime."

Would we be so bold to think we’re wise,
If we knew each spark, each fleeting rise,
Was just a moment—no more, no less—
A candle lost in wilderness?

So out, out, brief candle, you must go,
But what we leave behind, we’ll never know.
For in your glow, though brief and frail,
We danced, we dreamed, we fought, we sailed.

Copyright © Aaliyah O'Neil | Year Posted 2025

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Paige Hind Date: 5/18/2025 9:34:00 PM " just a moment—no more, no less— A candle lost in wilderness?" This section from Macbeth I read over and over to resonate with your poem- and your others. "To hear a night-shriek; and my fell of hair Would, at a dismal treatise, rouse and stir As life were in't. I have supped full with horrors. Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, Cannot once start me." This is how I see you. Well, goodnight. Hope you sleep "warm" - <3 Login to Reply Aaliyah O'Neil Date: 5/19/2025 1:57:00 PM Thank you so much for sharing those powerful Macbeth lines—they truly add a rich layer of meaning to how you connect with my work. I’m honoured by your thoughtful reflection and kind words. Wishing you a warm and peaceful night as well.

Oliver Mckeithan Date: 4/28/2025 3:28:00 PM Aaliyah, congrats on your placement in my contest. I liked the way you ended your poem especially the last two lines Login to Reply Aaliyah O'Neil Date: 4/28/2025 6:16:00 PM Thank you so much for your kind feedback and for the opportunity to participate in your contest. I truly appreciate your thoughtful words, especially as writing is a very new hobby of mine. I'm thrilled with the positive reception and the encouragement it brings. I look forward to submitting more of my work to your future contests.