Wax and Ink

Staying near to light my way
     now that there is no more day
You're needed to so brightly burn
     before to black ashes you return
Flames dance high upon your wick
     and fall across the well-worn brick
Like those flames once in the hearth
     when you go out there is no rebirth
My mind alight with persistent thought
     beaming from an inspiration caught
In ink my quill takes another dip
     my eyes watch your melting wax drip
Furiously now my script does flow
     to finish the lines before out you go
I can do no more, there is no time
     my slowing pen can no longer rhyme
The ink still wet, not even dry
     as your glow continues to die
Words on the page begin to fade
     while creeping darkness starts to shade
Wax and ink overtaken by night
     and devours all your candle's light.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016


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Date: 12/25/2023 7:38:00 PM
I enjoyed this poem of great writing talent.it appears to be a scene from before electricity, perhaps 1500 to 1700? I can feel the surroundings of hearth and brick. The poem is a living writ.
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Date: 4/4/2020 2:19:00 PM
Love this Kelly, beautiful flow and wording. I could feel the tension as the candle grew dimmer. Also, a wonderful metaphor for someone whose life has been cut short.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 6/20/2021 10:40:00 AM
Thank you once again for taking the time to read and comment so kindly on my poems... I appreciate that so much James :)
Date: 12/13/2016 8:11:00 AM
Hi Kelly. Such an amazing poem, not only about the writers life, but about all of life. As we grow older we seem to pay more attention to the flame and all the things that can cause it to flutter and disappear. A 7 and a favorite. Thanks for sharing, my friend...... Robert.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 3/23/2017 1:16:00 PM
Thank you so much for reading and making this poem a favorite. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Robert :)
Date: 12/5/2016 1:10:00 AM
You are a very gifted poet, Kelly. I adore your poems. Another fav of mine.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 2/2/2017 3:20:00 PM
I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment so kindly on my poems, Afzal. I'm so glad that you're enjoying them... Thank you for the fav :)
Date: 9/19/2016 9:38:00 PM
Hello! First of all I would like to say that I'm very much impressed with your writing talent. This write is truly amazing especially with the flow of rhyming. This line is just magnificent - Like those flames once in the hearth when you go out there is no rebirth You are showing such a great respect to the candle. The paint of imaginary is also very just. Very well written. All the best.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 12/5/2016 7:45:00 PM
Thank you, Augustus. I very much appreciate your kind comments :)
Date: 9/5/2016 4:10:00 AM
Love the imagery that this poèm conveys.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 10/2/2016 7:56:00 PM
Thank you, Jannie. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Date: 9/1/2016 3:52:00 PM
I love this poem Kelly. It is a poet's poem expressing the urgency felt to scramble to write your thoughts before the lights go out, before the muse slips away, leaving before you are able finish. I am faving this poem! It speaks to the soul of every poet. ; ) 7
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/21/2016 5:47:00 PM
I'm so glad that you enjoyed this one, Connie. That is precisely what I wanted to capture in this poem. Those fleeting moments when our words and inspirations almost become lost if we don't write them down... I really appreciate the fave :)
Date: 8/31/2016 8:44:00 AM
A profound analogy Kelly....Beautifully penned...
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/16/2016 6:23:00 PM
I appreciate your comments very much, Joseph. Thank you :)
Date: 8/22/2016 12:19:00 PM
At my age - 87 - this piece communicates worlds. Your symbolism is devastating, but I shall recover. Very fine stuff. Love, daver
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/8/2016 7:06:00 PM
Too often people forget that time is always passing. We must do what we wish to before we realize that its too late... Thank you for taking the time to read and comment so kindly, Daver. I appreciate that very much :)
Date: 8/20/2016 6:37:00 AM
How we wish we could just grab the candle and stop it from waxing yet burning so we could keep writing, nice one Kelly. AWESOME!
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/8/2016 6:34:00 PM
Absolutely... Too often we forget that our time to do the things we wish is very limited... Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciate them very much :)
Date: 8/8/2016 1:15:00 PM
- In light of just candles ... your thoughts flow freely - Enjoy reading this poem, Kelly - A really great work ! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 8/30/2016 9:06:00 PM
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment so kindly on this poem. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Anne-Lise... Hugs :)
Date: 8/7/2016 1:31:00 PM
wow, i am breathless at the moment... you spill ink with this glorious work, kelly!... huggs
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 8/11/2016 1:07:00 PM
Thank you so much, Nette, for your kind comments, as always :)
Date: 8/6/2016 2:23:00 PM
Superbly done Kelly...like poets of old...your verses be told...by candles lit..where the darkened sit lol...god bless...^WW^
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 8/27/2016 9:07:00 PM
Thank you so much for reading, WW. I truly appreciate your kind words on this poem :)
Date: 7/29/2016 11:11:00 AM
I also enjoy writing by candlelight, usually with a quill; somehow it takes me back in time and enhances my creativity. This is wonderful.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 8/27/2016 8:22:00 PM
Thank you so much for your kind comments, M.L... I always write my poems with a pen and paper. It just feels right and much more natural for me :)
Date: 7/27/2016 9:46:00 PM
So many nights are blessed by candles tears ;lovely you sweet romantic.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 8/19/2016 6:54:00 PM
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment so kindly, Michael. I appreciate that very much!
Date: 7/25/2016 12:55:00 PM
Great penning Kelly , nice rhyme and flow too. Trust life's good with you, blessings, Gordon
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 8/27/2016 8:12:00 PM
Thank you, Gordon. I appreciate your kind comments... All is well here. I have not been around Poetry Soup that much lately. Just busy enjoying this nice summer weather and tending to my garden :)
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