i take a flame, my

blessing candle

shines and burns.

i will light another at

the end, to bless us both,

for nothing truly ends

 

whatever comes of it

i shall always have the will

to keep it kindled, not

a flame guttering at the last,

it will always show the

way through even darkest night

 

this is my solemn vow to you, but

though it be hard to keep, ah

it is worth long vigil. my

valour vanquished foes,

the battle always won, and

when the night is over, oh

such victory is mine, my

foes become my friends

 

and here’s the path it shows, it

bathes us all in love, gives

my life a blessing spell, a

pool of bliss so lovely,

a glory, full of light!

 

*****

 

if you read the last word of each of my lines you will see a poem by Edna St Vincent Millay –

 

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—

It gives a lovely light!