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May 03
poem
charvermont

I Took the Candle

I took the candle from my 
postage-stamp sized nightstand, 
cradling it between my hands 
and letting it guide me into 
my sister’s empty room. 

There was a better view of the stars
from her window than mine, and 
I could see the reflection of the 
candle flame in the window, all
orange and hot and repeating the 
same silly dance over and over again. 

But now the heat has disappeared:  
it snowed today, in the early morning –
the first snow, which brought such a 
fullness to my heart that I fear I could not 
explain it without bursting into tears 
(the kind of winter tears that fall slowly). 

I look back out the window. 

The stars are always much clearer 
when it’s cold out, I think. The air 
thins itself to make space for them. 

I sigh. Giving the stars one last 
reconciliatory look, I scoop up the candle 
and allow it to guide me once again, 
this time back to my own bed.

 
  • charvermont's blog
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Posted: 05.03.22
About the Author: charvermont
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Discussion

Comments

  1. thegreenone
    May 03, 2022

    the end of the second stanza would make a great photograph!

    no way a male poet?! yes way

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  1. charvermont
    May 03, 2022

    mmmm yes!!!!

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  1. Alessandra G.
    Aug 23, 2022

    This is such an incredible poem, especially how you bring us back to the snowy morning. There is something so vulnerable in that stanza about the snow. It is like we are in the mind of someone, shamelessly. Amazing!

    Alessandra Giragos

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YWP is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists. We're based in Burlington, VT, and we welcome young creators from anywhere!
Young Writers Project | 47 Maple St., Suite 216 | Burlington, VT 05401
501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2006
Contact: Susan Reid, Executive Director: [email protected]; (802) 324-9538