This is a poem about the joys and sorrows of life. The running theme of the poem is a candle. Because a candle represents different things to different cultures. It is the symbol of both life and death. And for the purpose of this poem, it is used to serve both purposes.
Mature Subject Matter {Descriptive Language} Please be Advised.
The Candle Of Life And Death:
A young woman screaming
Her legs are open wide
Her husband holds her hand
Tears build up in her eyes
Biting down on a rag
The head comes into sight
The pain of a woman
To bring forth a new life
Sweat is on her forehead
It streams down to her cheek
Her breathing and panting
Impossible to speak
Midwives wash the child
The woman gives a cry
Coming from her body
A child is now alive
Swaddled with a blanket
She rocks him in her arms
Holding close her child
Protecting him from harm
Outside of the household
Candles glow in the night
Their way to celebrate
The birth of this young life
As the boy is growing
The seasons change above
He's a gentle spirit
The flower of her love
Always so respectful
His Mothers pride and joy
People of the village
Respect this little boy
Once the boy heard crying
From a house not far away
A woman there was crying
While others bowed and prayed
A single candle was lit
The village knew what for
It signifies a soul
That's lost now to the war
The Mother took her child
Not wanting to see the sight
He did not understand
The single candle light
Sent to the family
Of the soldier who died
A woman calls for her son
Falling down as she cries
I'll never let them take you
To march in fields of death
You are my only son
She said under her breath
I can't live without you
I would rather be dead
I pray for your safety
The candle is what I dread
I promise you Mother
No candle sent to thee
In my fathers footsteps
A soldier I will be
The time and seasons pass
And quickly I now grow
What is my destiny?
Mother, I just don't know
The years just pass on by
Seasons change in the trees
Older than he once was
A whisper in the breeze
The boy is now a man
And knows what candles mean
He holds his Mothers hand
In his uniform of green
His Mother is older
Tears flow from tired eyes
I don't want to a candle
Come back to me alive
You may be a soldier
That is not what I see
No matter what your age
My son you'll always be
The trees are filled with green
Then change to autumn gold
The trees become leafless
The year is growing old
Not a word from the son
Life simply goes on
She receives a candle
She knows her son is gone
The sound of her sorrow
Is heard throughout the night
The sound is familiar
A candle glows tonight
Grief has overcome her
Then madness takes its toll
A woman lost her son
Pain only she could know
The people show respect
The Mother only cries
She knew this would happen
She knew her son would die
She sadly lit the candle
She thinks of her baby
She cries out to heavens
Why could you not take me?
The house is too quiet
Worried friends look inside
They see her lifeless body
She committed suicide
Live goes on in the village
Again, a mother's moan
Another lonely candle
Was delivered to that home
How many candles through the centuries have Mothers lit for their sons who have died in war? Most than I could ever hope to count. My wish is that we would never again have to light a candle for those who die in war.