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Flame MAG

December 1, 2008
By Anonymous

I watch this flame pass
from match to wick,
gently stepping over
a great divide.
This flame and I
are not so different:
it comes into being from nothingness;
it eats and grows, smokes, and rests.
It gets angry,
destroys homes,
consumes flesh.
Sated, it becomes calm,
retreats into coals,
smoldering through the night.
Domesticated
by a piece of string,
it makes its home in a cave of wax.
It chases the shadows away
and stands watch through the night.
It sways
and dances in the darkness
before it is extinguished
in the blink
of an eye.

© Anonymous

The author's comments:
What inspired me to write this was: my life resembles a candle light. Bright at times, then it completely turns around and I feel dark, sad, and abandoned. I hope whoever reads this will feel what I felt, and not judge, but understand. Thank you.
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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 293 comments.

S. said...
on Sep. 7 2010 at 8:56 am
Beautiful! However, I suggest taking out the line about the flame and you being not so different. The poem expresses that on it's own, so you don't really need to state it directly. But that's just my opinion.
clairexaudrey PLATINUM said...
on Jul. 25 2010 at 9:12 pm
clairexaudrey PLATINUM, Bethel, Connecticut
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&quot;The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.&quot;<br /> -Elizabeth Kubler Ross

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129 people have commented on this so I don't want to sound repetitive, but this was absolutely beautiful.
WannaBeWriternumbertwo BRONZE said...
on Jul. 25 2010 at 12:54 pm
WannaBeWriternumbertwo BRONZE, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
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wow............wonderful.
inksplatters21 SILVER said...
on Jul. 25 2010 at 8:58 am
inksplatters21 SILVER, Mason, Ohio
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I can picture the candle.  this is beautiful, and an awesome poem.  Anyone want to read my stuff?  thanks!
musiclover123 said...
on Jul. 4 2010 at 3:38 am
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wow

Fire has always fascinated me,and this poem does too.Its got hidden meaning and you have to read between the lines to get it all.Its BEAUTIFUL.

<3

Dakota_Lynn said...
on Jul. 3 2010 at 7:25 pm
Dakota_Lynn, Oxford, Georgia
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Nicely done  I like it  
Acalleq PLATINUM said...
on Jul. 3 2010 at 6:33 pm
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this was very good. im pretty fascinated with fire so this piece sorta describes myself too. fire is never really tamed and can change in an instant. ;)
EscapeVelocity GOLD said...
on Jul. 3 2010 at 6:32 pm
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very good, deserves to be published

 

haventy0uheard PLATINUM said...
on Jul. 3 2010 at 11:45 am
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this piece was so lovely:] check out my work?
trapped-in-a-broken-wonderland PLATINUM said...
on Jun. 17 2010 at 9:34 am
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wow, this is really good, good imagrey, i like the hidden meanings and love how i can relate to them. excellent peiece.
Reaa.Mae.Kuzyk GOLD said...
on Jun. 11 2010 at 3:25 pm
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Loved it. :) Keep writing. :D
livsinthecity SILVER said...
on Jun. 11 2010 at 10:01 am
livsinthecity SILVER, Toronto, Ontario
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you defimitely put out the flame....i love the imagery....keep lighting your flame of poetry!!
HannaHBoo said...
on Jun. 11 2010 at 8:11 am
Wow. That is a powerful piece. Keep writing!
mhw582 GOLD said...
on Jun. 7 2010 at 10:29 pm
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i love this. don't let anyone tell you that what you're writing is wrong - if it makes sense to you then it is right.

i love the imagery associated with "it chases shadows away and stands watch through the night"... like a silent guardian.

keep writing :).

Eilatan GOLD said...
on May. 20 2010 at 7:00 pm
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I do not judge. I understand.
olympian-queen said...
on May. 20 2010 at 6:43 pm
olympian-queen, Charleston, South Carolina
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you definatley put  the flame out..... this isn't very clear but i like the concept.
avidDreamwriter BRONZE said...
on May. 20 2010 at 5:48 pm
avidDreamwriter BRONZE, Ridgeville, South Carolina
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There was no need for all the flame. It makes me think you're a pyrophile.
ElijahN PLATINUM said...
on May. 20 2010 at 4:13 pm
ElijahN PLATINUM, Livonia, Michigan
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thank you, I'll comment on one of yours as well when I have time.
Its.beautiful. BRONZE said...
on May. 20 2010 at 4:01 pm
Its.beautiful. BRONZE, Goose Creek, South Carolina
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Alright fire fighter. Obviously this career isn't working for you. Maybe...Chef.

 

Patience97 PLATINUM said...
on May. 20 2010 at 3:31 pm
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I commented on one of your poems. I really liked it :)