The Candle (for my wife)
by
Richard Reed Jr
copyright 08-25-2007
Age Rating: 7 to 127
For my new and wonderful wife Juney:
If the candle which burns so deep
Burned not alone for you
Each flicker was a promise
That someday we would meet
Notes within the perfect song
With lyrics just as sweet
A score of my life
A dream going nowhere
Like a child's toy train
Clicking around in circles
Just playing games -nothing more
Random discordant fading refrains
Like free-falling meteors
Dying out in the silent empty darkness
Where not even my memory could see
Except for a few special poetic moments
Snap-shots in still-vision to remain
In the hallway of mirrors and reflections
Distorted moments
In an amusement park fun-house
I stare at them now above time
Across empty streets
Through rain-trickled windows
With their makeup of pretense running
Down their faces
I see them standing naked and wrinkled
Under showers of thorns
And it dawns on me like the sun
Rising up from the faraway horizon
That fine as they seemed long ago
And probably were
All that they left behind
Had shriveled and blown away
As had my youthful dreams, songs and games
I remember how I slumbered
In a cocoon of half-death
For eight or more years
While fireflies sewed sequins in the air
From the crumbling cocoon I awoke
To see the most beautiful golden butterfly
Fluttering in an evening breeze
Scrawling its poetry on the water
Whistling a song, a new song
A new song for you and me
Two butterflies wind-blown to heaven
where stars flashed by
Fleeting, falling, dim, and bright
Exploding, collapsing and colliding
Seemingly passing out of existence
And being reborn anew
Back down to earth again
Waking to mortal form
I realized you were the dream
I had been promised
So long ago
You were the one
The one overall
Whose words were my food
Whose breath was my wine
You opened the doors of your heart
And took me to some higher level
It felt as we kissed
Like an eternal pledge
Of passion and devotion
That would live until the widest
Desert had grown roses and wheat
You bring a harvest to my soul
Your seeds of love sown and re-sown
Taking you into my arms
for a few moments is like
Drawing a veil between what had been
My life and the approaching everyday sun
I traded youthful games
For sensuous passions
With a commitment of love
And
Two butterflies circling a flickering candle
Bursting aflame
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Very beautiful imagery. The sincerity of your words, as well as your emotions, really comes across. I especially liked the sixth stanza, as it conveys the idea of being isolated from love and beauty and waiting for something, someone, to set your heart free at long last.
The rhythm is a little changeable--somewhat similar to the flickering of candle flame, perhaps? Whether or not that was intentional, the effect adds a very nice touch.
Anyhow, thank you for sharing this piece with us. May the love between you and your wife burn long and bright.
I'm so happy for you Rich! I wish you the best of everything in your marriage. You deserve all the sweetest and most brilliantly beautiful things to happen between you two that you can handle. :)
This poem was fantastic. It made me smile as I read it. I could feel this sense of the extreme depth of the emotion that went into the making of it. I hope that passion never ever fades for either of you. (because I'm sure she feels it too)
I think my favorite quote ever applies here:
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return."
I'm so happy for you! From what I know of you, I can't help but feel so over joyed with your new found happiness. I really believe that you are a deserving person just as anyone who finds happiness but I believe you are special.... with your words and moral character I wish you all the beauty that you can stand. It sounds like you already are and that makes me smile from deep within!
I loved this poem too by-the-way, it is so beautiful and full of love found and cherished so deeply. Congratulations again!
Congratulations, my friend Richard and Mrs. Richard. I am very grateful for your Juney and the loyalty first, and now love she has for you. You deserve all of the happiness this marriage will bring you.
A song of love; love that has been right in front of your eyes this whole time. Every kind word you have spoken of her has told us all of the depth of her feelings for you. I am so glad you have made her your wife.
Butterflies are fleeting creatures indeed. And songbirds sing only when in season. Tangible lovin' care is hard to find. I rejoice with you in your new song of gladness. And know that I feel with you the depth of your words as you describe your most intimate feelings for your mate. Bravo
Richard, I am new on board. Others probably know already of your artistry. I know of it now in this poignant poem. Those words surely brought warm feelings from the other butterfly. Remember,however, butterflies have brief lives. In real life go for the turtles lifespan! Thanks, Dale
for methis was amazing tell her to keep you like this looks like some of ur best work lol. the imagery you create in this poem the words everything fits perfect and everything described untill the last detail you couldn't of missed anything out of it if you tried brilliant work and keep it up there's nothing better than love and obviously you found it congrats.
Your new wife must be special indeed to have inspired such a beautiful verse. The imagery was living, the structure, sound, and the senses were definitely involved. Another good one from one of our more prolific writers. Keep 'em comin'.
Your friend,
Wayne
Welcome !
