A Hope, a Flame, a Resolution

Image credit: Oil painting by zarina situmorang

“A Hope, a Flame, a Resolution” highlights the longing for love, even when hurtful, and the duality of love, strengths, and weaknesses.

---

A wick rises to a flame

Like the ache in my heart rises to your name

Ignited

I try to light a candle while thinking “who’s to blame?”

Can’t fight it

But my finger slipped and I dipped my thumb into the orange flame

Getting close just to be close enough

Still isn’t the same as having the warmth of a touch

and hug and hearing you call my name with love and trust

and I guess I must bottle it up

and cut my losses

but I’ve spent a lot of time closing skeletons in the closet

And it’s cold in here, you don’t know that fear

That the woman who birthed you doesn’t see the worth in you

and you wonder if its even there

I can’t shed a tear

Mind you, I am too strong

Mind you, it’s been too long

Mind you, I doubt I’ll ever find a way out

See, I can’t see in front of my hand and

I can’t see the other part of my plan

And

I tried to light a candle but I burned my hand

and do you know what it’s like when the night swallows you up like quicksand

It’s cold in here

And I wish I could hear the hope that flame has been trying to evoke

But my tears soak it out,

and the years dull the lighter

I’ve always been a lover

and that’s always meant being a fighter