Lanterns

I carried a candle crafted from the wax of my soul.

Fragile wick, burning off centre and flawed.

Until I followed a new light and set my candle aside.

Faithfully followed the path that it shone for me.

Until I could see the flickering glow from my own candle no more.

I traversed new lands.

Reshaped my bones to fit the path as it grew increasingly narrower.

Pushed on and on, despite the darkness ever approaching.

Until I paused eventually and sought to retrieve my light.

So that together, both flames would light the rest of the way.

But I tripped and fell.

The path crumbled ahead of me.

Disintegrated into nothing in an instant.

Taking my hope and freedom with it.

Lost in the void.

I’m still stumbling back towards the candle.

For the flame is not yet extinguished.

She may be invisible in the depths of the solitude I left her in.

But on my way back, I am gathering the strength to rekindle her.

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