The Candle In the Window

The young lad left his Mother's hearth when he was seventeen.
There was adventure beyond the far horizon, so much to be seen.
Her only son to distant realms and o'er the seas did roam;
Now he wearily trudged along the moonlit country road to home.

From afar he saw a candle in the window casting its mellow glow.
It beckoned him to the humble cottage he had left so long ago.
'Twas Home! Home!, the most beautiful mansion in the world!
He paused and mused as about him precious memories swirled.

He dropped his duffel and leaned upon the sagging fence,
To capture the moment and his random thoughts condense.
There, framed in the window was Mother with hair of snowy white,
Reading her dog-eared Bible by the flickering candlelight.

He recalled her parting words, "God go with you son;
I'll light a candle to guide you home when your bourne is done."
As he gazed upon her so serene, o'er him many emotions swept;
Recalling her tender love, his shoulders shook as he quietly wept.

He swept his frail Mother in his arms as he reached the door,
Saying, "Your wayward son is home, Mom, a-roaming never more!"
All roads lead somewhere, but the happiest road of all,
Is that which leads to home, be it mansion great or cottage small.

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired 
(© All Rights Reserved)

Placed No. 8 in Linda-Marie's "Razzle Dazzle" Contest - April 2011

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010



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Date: 5/3/2012 9:14:00 PM
What a beautiful story teller you are Bob....this one moved me deeply. Hugs
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Date: 7/23/2011 8:40:00 PM
ro, congrats on your poem being featured this week,have yourself a wonderful weekend,..p.d.bert
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Date: 7/17/2011 4:23:00 PM
Congratulations on your featured poem this week Bob. Love, Carol
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Date: 7/17/2011 2:46:00 PM
Congrats Bob on your featured poem this week on PS.. a great piece to entertain us all my friend with luv.. and more...
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Date: 4/19/2011 1:44:00 PM
The heartbreak has been felt by so many for so long. I know quite a few Irish & English Ballads on the topic. A very good read as always Bob. [3rd line up from the bottom "a roaming never more" will give you your meter hon.] Light & Love
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Date: 4/19/2011 12:46:00 PM
This is a real beauty Bob, congratulations on your win in Linda's contest ;) hope your week's been good..
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Date: 4/19/2011 11:43:00 AM
Congratulations on the eighth place win in the contest, Bob
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Date: 4/19/2011 7:08:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win in Linda-Marie's contest "Razzle, Dazzle" Bob. Love, Carol
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Date: 4/19/2011 4:30:00 AM
Ahhhh! This is my kind of poem, Robert. Dear to the heart and with a life's lesson at the end. Sensational. You dazzled me. Many congrats on your win. Lainie
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Date: 4/18/2011 9:19:00 PM
Wow Bob, this is super amazing. Many congrats friend.
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Date: 4/18/2011 8:41:00 PM
Congrats Bob on your success in my contest luv.. appreciate your constant support.. my winners list is finally posted to view after many days of contest problems.. all fixed ...
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Date: 4/19/2010 7:27:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in Brian's (Any Which Way) contest Robert. Love, Carol
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Date: 4/5/2010 3:40:00 PM
That is a good one and of course great imagery too- like watching a scene in a movie- Congrats
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Date: 4/3/2010 3:29:00 AM
A1 for this, Robert. You really put your heart on this, a captivating moments of reuniting to your place of origins. Congratulations. (^_^) Noel.
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Date: 4/2/2010 10:19:00 AM
Congratulations, robert,this was simply wonderful. I'd put it higher! Luv,Andrea
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Date: 4/1/2010 2:16:00 PM
Another wonderful story from your pen, Robert! Congratulations on this honorable mention!! Well deserved!! ~ Love, Carrie
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Date: 3/31/2010 8:14:00 PM
well penned poem with deep emotions Congrats
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Date: 3/31/2010 10:09:00 AM
What a lovely poem. It would gladden any lonely, mother's heart. Congratulations. Joyce
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Date: 3/31/2010 9:01:00 AM
Bob..hope you filled with pride..this is great. Congrats to my friend on his success in the contest. BG
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Date: 3/31/2010 7:43:00 AM
Congrats on your success in my contest Robert.Rgds Brian.My latest contest 'APRIL FOOTLE' is now open.
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Date: 3/25/2010 9:18:00 AM
Thank you for supporting my contest Robert.Rgds Brian
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