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The Fading of Candlelight

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Their candles burnt brightly long ago Providing for us and watching us grow But the years passed by and took their toll And left behind gaps in our soul. When we were young they were always there And that they'd be there forever how wrong we were Old age comes make no mistake Accepting it is hard to take. They looked like giants when we were small Picked us up when we had a fall When we were upset they wiped our tears And supported us throughout the years. Their task now done, we're left behind And it makes you think that life's unkind Here today and gone tomorrow All that is left is pain and sorrow. But we remember too, those in their prime Whose candles went out before their time One thing I know they wouldn't want you sad Look back and remember the good times that you had. Times a great healer people often say But the void that they leave does' not fade away Their memories live on in our hearts and mind Comfort it will bring you, that I hope you will find. Memories do surface from time to time When you hear a song or even this rhyme It's dedicated to those who have gone to their rest And the years they were with us were surely the best. ( I composed this poem for a recent family reunion dedicating it to our parents and younger members of the family who have gone to their rest.) Written 7th November 2017 For Your Best Poem Ever Poetry Contest Sponsored By Chantelle Ann Cooke.

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Bill Baker

Date: 2/19/2024 8:50:00 PM

A very thoughtful poem for the family reunion, Tom. I thought I'd come back to your beginning here on the "soup". I'm glad I did. This brought up those in my family that have passed on, both older than I am and most, younger. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Tom Cunningham
Date: 2/19/2024 10:04:00 PM

Thank you very much Bill, I'd created a slideshow of old black and white photos of loved ones no longer with us to accompany it. Hope you and Sara are keeping well. Im just back from Turkey and had my birthday over there. Had a great relaxing time. Tom

Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/20/2023 4:36:00 AM

Yes, as my now deceased mother-in-law used to say, "There are no old ones, we are the old ones". My husband and I are facing what our parents faced years ago. I hope I can be as strong and as healthy as they were through what lies ahead. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my pages. Sara K

Tom Cunningham
Date: 12/20/2023 5:57:00 AM

Thank you very much Sara, I wrote this for a family reunion to honour those who have passed away. My first ever poem on here. Tom

Charles Messina

Date: 10/10/2023 4:09:00 AM

Hi Tom, I wanted to see your first poem and I must say. it is just as good and as well-written as any of yours. This heartfelt poem really hits home, my friend. Also, how are you felling...I hope all went well with your recent surgery. All the best.. Charlie

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/11/2023 2:15:00 AM

Thanks very much Charlie, my last two ops were cancelled, I'm still waiting to hear from them. Tom

Mike Gentile

Date: 7/23/2023 4:19:00 AM

Tom, I truly love this poem and relate to every wonderful word! I could not agree with you more and you've expressed it here so gracefully!!! Happy Sunday!!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/23/2023 8:38:00 AM

Thank you very much Mike, I wrote it for a family reunion back in 2017 and I got the bug for writing poetry. Hope you're keeping well and enjoying your weekend. Tom

Valsa George

Date: 8/30/2022 9:16:00 PM

Let the memories of those gone before, continue to blaze our paths. So beautifully written ! Very glad to comment on your first poem in poetry soup.... dear Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/30/2022 11:03:00 PM

Thank you very much Valsa, I wrote that for a family reunion back in 2017 and have just kept going. Tom

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/25/2021 12:07:00 PM

A lovely tribute poem, Tom!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/25/2021 12:14:00 PM

Thank you Kim, I wrote it for a family reunion and it was my first poem that I put on soup. Tom

Mark Koplin

Date: 10/24/2020 1:00:00 PM

A very powerful and profound tribute Tom. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 10/24/2020 4:40:00 PM

Thank you very much Mark, it was for a family reunion and I wanted to pay tribute to loved ones both young and old who were no longer with us. Also my first poem on soup. Tom

John Watt

Date: 8/27/2020 10:09:00 PM

Tom, this is a very meaningful tribute to the loved ones who went before us, laid the groundwork for us and wiped our tears. It must have been a real tear jerker at the family reunion you shared it at. A wonderful first post, enjoyed it very much.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/28/2020 12:23:00 AM

Thank you very much John, it certainly was a great occasion and to accompany it I created a PowerPoint sideshow with music using old pictures, we'd planned to have another next year but things are looking doubtful with covid. Tom

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/25/2020 10:07:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A wonderful story/poem. In life we do have the memories that live on. Enjoy your win and day.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/25/2020 11:53:00 AM

Thank you very much Paula, hope you too enjoy the day. Tom

Line Gauthier

Date: 8/24/2020 12:06:00 PM

Wonderful tribute and first post, Tom. Congrats on your three-year anniversary with PS.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/24/2020 1:07:00 PM

Thank you very much Line, can't believe that it's been three years since I joined, time moves so fast especially as you get older. Hope you're well Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/24/2020 3:51:00 AM

- Congratulations on your win, Tom ... I remember how exciting it was to post my first poem :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/24/2020 4:05:00 AM

Thank you Anne, exciting and a bit of anticipation, would people think it wasn't up to standard etc, well I'm still here lol. Enjoy your day. Tom

Silent One

Date: 8/24/2020 3:45:00 AM

Tom, I remember this poem and have commented previously... You have been an excellent addition to this site, with your great poems and supportive comments.. Long may they continue my friend... This was not really a contest, it was an opportunity to showcase your first poem and I am glad you entered. Thank you.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/24/2020 4:07:00 AM

Thank you very much S. O., thank you for giving us the opportunity to to do that. Cant believe its been three years since I joined soup. Enjoy your week. Tom

Gideon Idudje

Date: 6/20/2020 8:18:00 AM

Timelines, Time, Tide &@ Tomorrow's Trace God Only Knows. Heartfelt Reminiscences & Deeply written Weldon Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/20/2020 8:23:00 AM

Thank you Gideon. I wrote that as a tribute to loved ones both young and old who have gone to their rest. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/13/2020 7:23:00 PM

Congrats on the win for your golden oldie here, Tom, and thanks for your comments to me this week.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/13/2020 9:23:00 PM

Thank you Andrea, you're very welcome, I'm pleased this caught the sponsors eye. My first ever on here three years ago Tom

Aditi Mishra

Date: 6/13/2020 6:00:00 PM

Your words truly come from the deepest ocean of love and memories of your loved ones. I am glad I got to read this old gem of yours because of this contest. Congratulations on your win Tom :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/13/2020 6:04:00 PM

Thank you very much Aditi, we never forget them and talk of them often, Tom

Beata Agustin

Date: 6/13/2020 6:10:00 AM

Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this. God bless you.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/13/2020 6:39:00 AM

Thank you Beata, I'm happy you liked it. Enjoy your weekend Tom

Jeanne Mcgee

Date: 6/12/2020 4:39:00 PM

Such a glowing tribute to all those we love. Well done Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/12/2020 4:49:00 PM

Thank you Jeanne, we never forget our loved ones, they live on in our hearts. Tom

Line Gauthier

Date: 6/12/2020 3:36:00 PM

Awesome tribute, Tom. Congrats for your well deserved win, Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/12/2020 4:03:00 PM

Thank you very much Line, I'm happy you liked it. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 6/12/2020 3:16:00 PM

I love this poem. Congratulations for your win Tom :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/12/2020 3:29:00 PM

Thank you very much Heidi, My first on soup. Hope you're well Tom

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 6/12/2020 2:23:00 PM

Hello Tom Cunningham, congratulation on your win. Tom I always enjoy reading you poetry. Enjoy your day my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 6/14/2020 10:35:00 AM

Hello Tom, I am proud of you. Enjoy your day my friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/12/2020 2:30:00 PM

Thank you very much Darlene, I'm happy you enjoyed it. My first ever poem on soup. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 6/12/2020 12:27:00 PM

Congratulations on a win in this contest, Tom. This poem is such a reflection of you, we are fortunate to have such a soulful poet like you! You give much to do many here.Thank you! A taker...you are not! Nor are you drunk on arrogance. Your fan, Panagiota. KUDOS!!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/12/2020 12:36:00 PM

Thank you Panagiota, it was my first ever poem on soup, I wrote it for a family reunion after my cousin requested I write a few poems for the main night. After this I caught the bug. Tom

Harry Horsman

Date: 3/17/2020 11:21:00 PM

Always love to read the first post of Poets i have grown to respect,,,This is wonderful Tom, Being your first here i can only regard this as a foundation for what you have followed it with,,,,

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/18/2020 2:12:00 AM

Thank you very much Harry, my cousin asked me if I'd do some poems for the reunion that we had back in 2016, I'd never thought of myself as a poet though, I let others tell me, never been one to blow my own trumpet. Hope you're well. Tom

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/17/2019 7:15:00 PM

Love your first poem on PS! Just saying that we hear a song reminding us of a loved one brings back memories. I couldn't comment on your recent post...well, you know...lol

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/18/2019 7:33:00 AM

Oh yeah lol.This was one of my first ever poems that I'd written for a family reunion and my first on soup. The rest is history lol. Tom

Silent One

Date: 3/3/2019 7:41:00 AM

I remember this brilliant poem.. I must say one of your finest.. Thought I would have a read of your first post again..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/3/2019 11:46:00 AM

Thank you S.O. It's still one of my favourites. Hope all's well. Tom

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 1/23/2019 7:11:00 AM

A beautiful first poem, dear Tom! Especially touching for me are wonderful moments given by God to cherish. I think of my cousin, Pam...how we happened to both be at the Disney Parks, how her and her husband saw my husband in his wet suit dive into the Epcot aquarium and especially my long talks with her. I know you have your own memories. My, we are blessed to have them! <3 Kim

Tom Cunningham
Date: 1/23/2019 12:00:00 PM

Thank you very much Kim, every moment we have with our families and friends are precious to us and when they pass only fond memories remain until we meet again. Tom.