Candle

by Carter Davis Johnson

My candle burns at both ends
Late into the night,
And flickers fast,
And bounces in my sight.

My pen lies docile in my hand.
The page is silent now.
My eyes transfix;
My thoughts do mix;
The flame moves like her gown.

I see her sway
In silken dress
When we were by the bay.
Around her curves
The silk moves slow
As night approaches day.

Through the curtains
Runs the breeze,
Warm and salty too.
It grabs her gown,
A slow sweet sound,
And plays with waves of blue.

Then she fades
Into the flame
That pulls me back tonight.
It flickers on;
My pen moves on;
It burns into the night.



Carter Davis Johnson is an English major and cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. He grew up in Roanoke, Virginia.