Longevity
Feeding the fire.
Internal heat is the direct source of
enthusiasm
emotion
passion
intensity...
all things inherent
in this ongoing
process of existence...
this self-sustained bonfire
was taught to survive
without kindling or nurturing,
setting myself free in the
world without a map or a
compass, hoping to achieve
inferno status like others...
but the flame works in
cryptic ways, teaching me
to stay close to home—
close enough to combust
lingering fears that
surround a flourishing campfire
~~~
a candle without a wick is just
useless wax, never earning the
right to shine its potential...
each candle i set alight,
ultimately ends in a trail
of swirling smoke,
a stark reminder that everything
is momentary
ephemeral...
there's no point to fanning
flames away when oxygen
is the very thing that feeds them
I would know
because each breath is
fuel that keeps this fire
burning
churning
yearning for something more than
resulting ash... but as each
chapter ends, candles become
more scarce
sparks dwindle and find
difficulties igniting...
once the vibrant flames
are reduced to embers and
smolder away,
game is simply over...
About the Creator
Lamar Wiggins
Creative writer in the Northeast US who loves the paranormal, mystery, true crime, horror, humor, fantasy and poetry.
"Life is Love Experienced" -LW
LDubs
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Comments (23)
Lamar, I love this poem, but this part really speaks to me: "but the flame works in cryptic ways, teaching me to stay close to home." Congratulations on your win and top story!👏🥳 I keep falling behind here, so I apologize for the late response.
Congratulations!🥳 Very thought provoking.🤔
Congratulations on your placement, Lamar!
Congrats Lamar!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Wooohooooo congratulations on your honourable mention! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
This poem is fire! (Hehehe.) Congratulations!
Back to say congrats and good for us to be side by side friend
This poem is amazing, Lamar.
A metaphorical fire dance with a philosophy seminar waiting at the end. I like how your words here engender discussion. Belated Top Story congrats! 🎉
There is such power in your poem, Lamar, and such personal reflection. I love it so much. Best of luck in the challenge.
Great. I really liked "...shine its potential..." I like it for what it leaves out as much as for what it includes. It's the refined language that makes for great poetry. I like the entire work, but I have to also mention "...sparks dwindle and find..." It's rich, beautiful language. Congratulations on Top Story and whatever else this wins.
This was just brilliant Lamar. You've had an incredible run of challenge placements this year and I feel this will be another high placement for you. I was hooked from.the beginning. Congrats on Top Story
Oh, Lamarr, I LOVED the ending of this. Congratulations on the TS!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations!!!!
“a candle without a wick is just useless wax, never earning the right to shine its potential...” Hits hard my friend
I loved how vividly you captured the life of a flame as a metaphor for human energy and passion. It made me think deeply about my own internal fire.
Winner winner… So beautifully said and expressed. The fire within us builds upon our passion we feed it. And your fire burns bright my friend.
Well-wrought, Lamar! I often find my favorite part of sitting around a fire to be that moment when all that remains are fiery coals dancing with a rainbow light. Thus may our own lives yet burn and shine before we fade away!
This was so poignant and beautifully written. Loved it so much!
Oh, this was such a great philosophical poem, Lamar. I do want to believe that after the flame is out the game is not really over and our souls travel out in those sparks.
beautifully expressed but sad- makes me hope you can find one of those windup rechargeable flashlights instead of a candle
That is intense, Lamar. I feel your yearning. You pose many thought I often think myself. Well written - excellent work.