Home » Poems » Jan Allison » The Crying Candle

Notes About The Poem

Yesterday I was in a bar in Dublin listening to Irish music and watching Irish dancing. I wrote a poem called 'fading light'. Maurice Yvonne asked me to write inspired me to write the original poem - this is it... This poem is dedicated to my father who has terminal cancer.

~awarded 1st place in contest sponsored by Judy Konos~

The Crying Candle

The candle seemed to call my name
I watched its brightly flickering flame
The light from it shone bright in the dark
I was hypnotised by its golden glow
The wax melted slowly so slowly
Like creamy liquid tears running down the sides
Drip
Drip
Drip
A silent puddle formed
Slowly oh so gradually over time the wick decreased
Almost like your life was ebbing away
Getting smaller and weaker every second
The candle flame started to dim
Flickering dancing flickering dancing 
Fighting to stay alive with every ounce of its strength
Finally it flickers for the final time
It gave its final breath
Leaving a wisp of smoke
I imagined it was your spirit rising through the air
Ascending towards heaven

13th September 2014

Written when my father had terminal cancer and I read it at his funeral service in Feb 2015

fatherlightpersonification

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Tom Cunningham

Date: 2/20/2018 4:54:00 AM

Jan, I've only just got round to reading this, when I saw your response to my first one on here ,I thought I'll. Look it up. Slipped my mind ( age thing lol ). But It's a beautiful verse and I'm not surprised it is in a book. Regards Tom P.S still navigating my way round this site, sometimes there's not enough time in the day.

Jan Allison
Date: 2/20/2018 2:11:00 PM

Thanks tom, It's actually 3 years today since my father died, neither me or mum have grieved and i doubt we ever will:-( hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/24/2016 8:15:00 PM

You are on a roll Jan, congrats again.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/12/2016 4:45:00 PM

Thanks Rick sorry I missed replying before:-) hugs Jan xx

Vladislav Raven

Date: 7/24/2016 7:59:00 AM

Hi Jan, an emotional write flows from your pen and it truly sings. Sometimes i shall read something Jan and the words to comment seem so insufficient for the piece i have read. This would be one of those times. An excellent work, and i am honoured to have read it. This is a definite seven and a fave. Hugs....Mike. XX

Jan Allison
Date: 7/24/2016 3:09:00 PM

I wrote it in a bar in Dublin when i was sitting looking at the candles and - I was inspired to write - I read the poem at my dad's funeral and its also been printed in a book of religious poems by a fellow souper:-) hugs Jan xx

Sunita U.D Palawon

Date: 7/23/2016 11:33:00 PM

This is so touching...Congrats. Sunita

Jan Allison
Date: 7/24/2016 5:42:00 AM

Thanks sunita:-) hugs Jan xx

Skat A

Date: 7/23/2016 11:03:00 PM

Hi Jan, congrats on your win, hope to see you stop by my latest blog 9if not already). Hugs. SKAT

Jan Allison
Date: 7/24/2016 5:43:00 AM

Thanks again Skat:-) hugs Jan xx

Beautiful Scars

Date: 7/23/2016 5:52:00 PM

Jan, love this so much lovely lady...congrats on your placement :)-luloo

Jan Allison
Date: 7/24/2016 5:43:00 AM

Thanks LuLoo:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/23/2016 5:39:00 PM

You entered one of your very best in her contest and it paid off, Jan. BIG congratulations to you, my friend.

Jan Allison
Date: 7/24/2016 5:42:00 AM

Thanks Andrea it is a poem I love i even read it at dad's funeral and a lady said it was so moving it should be in a book:-) hugs Jan xx

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 8/2/2015 11:16:00 PM

Magnificent write Jan that's worthy of great win! Big congrats!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/3/2015 3:37:00 AM

Thanks so much Dr Sharma:-) hugs Jan xx

Eve Roper

Date: 8/2/2015 10:24:00 PM

Jan, this is so very beautiful a 7 congratulations on your win

Jan Allison
Date: 8/3/2015 3:37:00 AM

Thanks so much Eve:-) hugs jan xx

Tim Smith

Date: 8/2/2015 7:16:00 PM

Congrats again Jan...it is a really remarkable piece

Jan Allison
Date: 8/3/2015 3:36:00 AM

Thanks Tim I am reading it as part of my radio interview:-) hugs jan xx

Skat A

Date: 8/2/2015 4:25:00 PM

Congratulations Jan, Hugs.... SKAT

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 4:32:00 PM

Thanks Skat:-) hugs jan xx

Kp Nunez

Date: 8/2/2015 1:57:00 PM

How beautiful and sad this is Jan. I knew while I was reading that you must be referring here to your dad who was still slive when you wrote this. Congratulations on a more than deserved win! hugs

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 4:32:00 PM

Yes Im being interviewed on the radio tomorrow - will let you know when it's being broadcast and you can hear it on listen again via the web:-) hugs jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 2:00:00 PM

Thanks Kim it would have been dad's birthday today so it is fitting for it to win today:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/2/2015 10:45:00 AM

Awesome, Jan. I wish he had liked mine. Congrats to you!!!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 10:55:00 AM

We win some we lose some Andrea:-( hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/2/2015 9:04:00 AM

Jan, congratulations on your win in the mood contest:-)Alexis

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 9:05:00 AM

Thanks so much Alexis

Joseph May

Date: 8/2/2015 6:47:00 AM

Nicely penned Jan ...Beautiful ending ..Congrats on your win...

Jan Allison
Date: 8/2/2015 6:49:00 AM

Thanks Joseph - today would have been dad's 91st birthday - I'm really pleased it got placed in the contest:-) hugs jan xx

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 3/5/2015 3:52:00 AM

touching write Jan.. Indeed..! I can imagine you reading this with controlled emotions and much!..olive eloisa

Jan Allison
Date: 3/5/2015 4:03:00 AM

I managed to keep my voice relatively strong:-) Hugs Jan xx

Kelly Deschler

Date: 10/19/2014 10:46:00 PM

I liked your use of metaphors here, from the light of it's life shining bright, to the final spark and wisps of smoke rising to heaven.... This was a really moving piece of poetry, Jan. Beautifully done! Congrats on your win!

Jan Allison
Date: 10/20/2014 1:09:00 AM

Many thanks Kelly win this means the world to me:-) Hugs Jan xxx

Doris Jamoner

Date: 10/17/2014 12:18:00 PM

Congratz on your win! ^^

Jan Allison
Date: 10/17/2014 2:47:00 PM

Many thanks for dropping by Doris:-) hugs Jan xx

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 10/16/2014 7:32:00 PM

God works in mysterious ways sometimes he has to save everybody on the plane to save the one he needs. Never sell yourself short.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/17/2014 2:47:00 PM

Behave - you KNOW I was talking about me :-) hugs Jan xxx

Maurice Yvonne
Date: 10/16/2014 7:38:00 PM

Why do you always have to tease me about the size of my you know what?

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2014 7:35:00 PM

I'm only little Maurice but I feel ten foot tall at the moment - the best things come in small packages :-) hugs Jan xxx

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 10/16/2014 7:21:00 PM

Congratulations one other honor for this great poem.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2014 7:27:00 PM

Thanks Maurice - i know everyone got 1st place for their poems but this is a lasting tribute to dad:-) hugs jan xx

Sandra Haight

Date: 10/16/2014 6:12:00 PM

Jan, such a beautiful poem from your aching heart for your dear father. Such a sad but powerful metaphor used to express your feelings...Congratulations. Hugs, Sandra

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2014 6:19:00 PM

Thanks for the lovely comment Sandra this poem means a great deal to me:-) hugs Jan xxx

Earl Schumacker

Date: 10/16/2014 10:18:00 AM

Hi Jan, Not just a hit but a sweet sentimental hit and excellent win. Congratulations. Have a great day. Take care. Earl

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2014 6:18:00 PM

Thanks earl i do appreciate your lovely comment:-) hugs jan xx

Earl Schumacker
Date: 10/16/2014 11:00:00 AM

Hi Jan. So sorry to hear about your dad. I will say prayers for you and him. Take care. Earl

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2014 10:37:00 AM

Thanks Earl this poem means a great deal to me and i am so so pleased it will be a lasting legacy to my dad when it is published in an e book by a fellow poetry soup member:-):-) Hugs jan xx

Kayod5 Kayode

Date: 10/16/2014 8:35:00 AM

Another hit Jan,congrats.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2014 10:35:00 AM

Many thanks Kayod5:-) Hugs Jan xxx

Joseph May

Date: 10/16/2014 6:58:00 AM

A very touching story Jan......congrats on your win

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2014 10:35:00 AM

Thanks Joseph:-) hugs jan xxx