I watched a candle as it burned
Its melting wax will not return
It gave me warmth and gave me light
And stayed with me throughout the night

A thing that was and now is not
Was put to use and then forgot
Did it burn; did it exist
Its image fades into the mist

Like candle wax our flesh is weak
We rush to find the things we seek
Time cuts our bodies to the quick
Exposed to burn our dwindling wick

And in the end our fire’s consumed
What’s left is buried in the tomb
As dark descends upon the room
The chill returns where shadows loom

Then all at once there comes a light
A brand new taper breaks the night
To burn and melt and come then go
The way it was it still is so

Jeff Burkhart’s “Rhyme & Reason”

Sharing is caring!