The Glow

The candle has been lit and its flame shines bright against the darkness. The warmth of the full, yellow flame thrusts the newborn air into invisible swirls within its world.

The flickering of this fragile brilliance impresses upon the mind of mortality… each breath of wind or movement releasing a struggle between life and death.

The tamed wild begins as if uncertain of its path… searching for a direction to flow. Life warms its space and draws the eye to trace within its core. The fury of existence pulls the fuel of its container and expels vision in the direction of others.

Though full and strong, this fire is forgotten, and the necessity of purpose becomes relaxed. Time is at peace and the shadows of usefulness are strong and clear. We are reminded of our dependence only when the pulse of energy blinks within the path of calmness around us.

The flame has toiled deep within its surroundings. It is unaware of demise until the appointed time. We pull close to see the last spark and search for the remaining glimmer of strength. In our silence, we feel the last breath of the ember. The sound of a muted storm ends the energy that has fueled the glow of existence.

The swirls of incense fill the void that was once light… left as a reminder of the past. In exuberance, the cycle concludes within the darkness. The flame has always remained the same… only controlled within a new time.

Shannon R Killman