Two Candles

Flame rising
are you my anger
and frustration
over not getting a job today
or are you the symbol of my
prayer for wisdom and clarity
about the next stop to take?
Trembling flame next to it
are you the candle that
burns my fears away
this morning as I
sit here resisting life on life's terms
pretending that I am patient and wise
and clear
and seeing instead
how stuck I am in my attitudes
of despair, disgust
and indifference?

Burn candles
burn away
my disappointments
my fears
and my desperate
attempts to predict the
unfolding of this short life
this flaming rocket of
female essence
aging passion
loving humanity
that I am.


@2000