A Lone Candle...A Candle Alone

A single flickering light; a lone sentry poised to stave off the darkness  that seeks to envelop it. A small symbol of hope and perseverance all but lost among the emptiness and uncertainty of the world around it. Shining brightly against all odds, as it's source slowly begins to diminish , evidence of its own mortality.

As I quietly sit watching the flickering light dance freely in the darkness that surrounds it, I cautiously lean foward to gently extinguish the flame and carefully remove the solitary candle from atop the cake that will remain otherwise untouched. I take a moment to carefully return the  candle to the small box from which it came,  to be removed again at this time next year, to once again shine brightly and bring hope and inspiration in a world of ever growing darkness. 

Leaning back once again, I take a moment to note the lone empty chair that faces me at end of the table,  seemingly sinking into the darkness that encompases it, as if to lure me into a void of despair. But rather than allow my self to be drawn into the darkness, I realize that I too am a candle. And while my flame burns deeply from within, it glows every bit as strong, giving the me strength to push foward in times of uncertainty and hopelessness , and to strive to shine brightly, even when there is no one around to see the light.

With the singular flame now all but a memory, the darkness once again prevails and quickly fills the emptiness that surrounds me. As I sit quietly, bidding farewell to yet another birthday, I realize just how alike we are that candle and I ...a lone candle...a candle, alone.