Candles

She burned her candle at both ends.

It came to the middle and vanished.

It did so brightly and everyone cheered,

in part for the extra colors she added,

and sparks, like the clapping of hands

or heels in dance. And that was great,

but that was that.

My own candle is as yet unlit.

I get it out on some holidays,

smell it, feel it, smile at the scent:

it's olive green with a sprucy smell 

and waxy feel, for it’s made of wax

like everyone else’s.

Then I put it away until one of these days,

one of these days.