Gene Belmont is another regular at the Maui Live Poets gatherings.  I especially love his story poems about the by-gone days of his raucous youth.  When I asked him for a poem that held special meaning for him, he sent me this pensive, meditative one that he had written….

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COMPLETE CANDLE

I’m 82

and I’ve known

the light and dark

places

the light was easy

the dark was hard

and still is

 

but always, always

as from a candle

a little flame

in heart and mind

gives ease and guidance

 

when it seems the flame is out

a spark remains

 

I’ve said

I can’t go on

but the spark said

you can and you will

and I did and I do

 

I’ve said

I’m all done

but the wisp of smoke above the spark

said

you’re not and march on

and I wasn’t and I’m still marching

 

I’ve said

that life is crap

but in the dark

the oily odor of the wick

said

it’s not and fertilize your dreams

and it isn’t and I’ve grown

 

always

even when the flame is out

a spark remains

and pushes back the dark

Gene Belmont 2/26/2015 ©

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He says, “I wrote this poem straight through in one sitting. I read it once in silence, and once again aloud. My thought was that if I fiddled with it the rhythm would be compromised. Not editing.  Unforgivable I know, but I stand fast.”

Hee!  That’s cool, Gene.  Thanks, eh!

Picture credit:  Flame by Clare Black via Flickr [CC BY 2.0]

[Please note:  If any of you would like to contribute a poem to this page, please let me know by leaving a comment below….  I’d be happy to hear from you.]