wax glow
a wisp of light
tottering, it gleams in dark
pirouetting on a bureau
routs the armies of night.
The candlelight
that once lit up so bright,
cautiously began to fade.
Though the room got dimmer,
it went unnoticed for a long while.
When it signaled for help,
we simply watched as it flickered.
Now all that’s left
is a glowing ember on the wick,
in a dark room.
Sponsor: Nette Onclaud
Contest: LIGHT A PENSEE Poetry Contest
Date:July 28, 2026
Seed Becomes Light
Candle tongue
small sun in ink
he burned twenty hours to wake dawn
darkness cracked like glass before him
night bowed to one man
Poet Note:
This pensee is inspired by Thomas Edison, who worked by candlelight to invent the light bulb.
Gold flame
glow shines halo.
Candlelight kindles your frame;
desire flickers in onyx night.
I love your fiery lilt.
dining
with two children
candlelit private room
could be aesthetic romantic
son, set napkin a blaze
candle
flickering light
illuminating refuge
under bleak blanket of darkness -
another century
candles
golden whispers
charm our intimate table
as night shrugs off day for this play
drooling wax pools then cools
Flaming
as a beacon-
our sentinel in the dark.
For happy times, along with sad-
a gift for ambiance.
Candle
flickering flame
warm and sweet smell of beeswax
in a sentient presence - breath
relish moment of calm
lean flame
the ancient stones
my breath circles quiet room
slow orbit returns to center
emptiness becomes peace
Before a looking glass
where butterflies whirl
and fan iridescence,
a party girl sways
pearlesque beads
entwined in raven ringlets.
Crooked candlelight
gasps and gutters
amid spectral murmurs.
the candle's haul —
blown from my lips on glass,
shearing fire falls
how the wick goes down,
left a shadow on smiling girl's cheeks from the frame,
picture played out now
stained
days
stay
the candle's haul —
left a shadow on smiling girl's cheeks from the frame,
stay
Inspiration comes when candles cast their light
Words flow mellifluously like honey
The heart's doors open onto the page
A release that tastes much like freedom
Daylight's veil no longer masks the truth
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
Rhythm and blues by candlelight.
Together's the most wonderful place to be.
Talking all through the night.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2026
2025, you were a year uncertain
Felt a pull of a curtain to cover up
The world was faced with reality
Months upon months questionable
Tomorrow seemed like an abrupt yesterday
Harder and harder to survive
Noble mind rhetoric thought
2026 hope for newness and uplifting
A desire in must try
Determined hope
Will cope
No matter what year, there is always hope
Horizon peace
Togetherness at least
Respectful world
Love swirl
Hatred thrown out
Maneuvering inspiration about
Daily praying in keeping Faith strong
Real change
Transformational survival
Better year
Preserver
Need and desire
Crime a turnaround
Let 2026 bring solvency our way
Embrace minds, heart and souls in ok
Happy Prosperous New Year 2026 I say
Make it the best in every way
Don’t drink and drive
Arrive in the New Year alive.
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.