Welcome to Poetry Friday!
Do you love candles? I place candles around the house as decorations, but I often forget to burn them. Last Christmas I started a candle that burned so beautifully, I anticipated lighting it each evening. It lasted through the winter and became the subject of a poem I wrote for the Nevermores about love. That candle and the comfort and inspiration it brought prompted a new practice of actually burning my candles, especially when I write. This week I revised the original poem to reflect more of the spirit of Advent and its celebration of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Somewhere in the Middle of a Cold December Evening
I fell in love
with my Christmas candle.
It is comfort
peace
hope
burning precisely
evenly
(like I wish my days to be).
In this season of light and joy
somewhere in the middle
of a cold December evening
I fell in love
with my Christmas candle.
Draft, RoseCappelli2023
Images courtesy of Pixabay and Canva
Patricia has the roundup today on her blog Reverie with she offers beautiful, heartfelt thoughts about what is on her Christmas wish list. Be sure to stop by for lots of poetry goodness.
Imagine the Possibilities 
We need to find steadiness and consistency wherever we can, even (ironically) in a candle!
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Beautiful, Rose. It’s something, isn’t it, when a simple object can mean so much at precisely the moment we need it to. I appreciate the words, “in the middle of a cold December evening.” That’s such a picture painted for me. It’s lonely and yet not.
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I’ve been teaching my students about symbolism. Your candle reminds me of the symbol of light in the darkness, the comfort in the winter of our souls.
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Rose, I really like your idea of burning the candle and writing. Such a good way to pass some peaceful time in the winter. Lovely poem.
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There’s something calming and magical about candlelight. I can see how it would inspire beautiful words. Lighting yours ever night is a wonderful ritual.
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“every night”
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Yes, I love my candles, too, Rose, and light one every night. How nice that you’ve discovered the delight of yours, then written about it, too! I do love the idea of my days “burning precisely”, too. Have a great rest of the weekend!
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I would love days that burn evenly, too, Rose. And I think I will take a page from your notebook – and light some candles in my house. Enough of the “just looking pretty” stuff!
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Rose, this made me want to go light a candle! In the rush to get things done, I forget that it is even a possibility for a simple touch of beauty. Thank you for the reminder!
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I love that parenthetical aside–so true!
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Rose, your candle and words burn bright! You provided a tip on writing with a candle light. I am thinking about this now: the scent, the light, and the sweet essence of word weaving.
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Yes! Beautiful meditation on candle light. I love a flickering, yet steady candle flame. If the candle is balsam-scented, I’m a happy camper!
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I love your opening line “Somewhere in the Middle of a Cold December Evening” it has so much possibility, and you imbed it with much warmth, thanks for sharing and spreading it!
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