In the Flicker of a Flame
There is a moment in that flicker of a flame on a dark night.
A brief blue?
The split second when yellow goes to red,
then dances out of the way to leave, what?
Not a void, because there is light as red dances back.
Or is it orange? No, it’s that brief tease
of blue again, and I see your eyes.
I see you stirring the fire, as if you were
never gone, and a warmth passes over me.
It’s in your smile and the nod of your head,
and I realize they’ve always been with me.
The flame dances back, and you are gone,
but not your warmth. I hold that close.
The prompt from Merril, with Poetics: Invisible at dVerse, is to write a poem referencing invisible or invisibility. It could be something seen or unseen, real or imagined
– or, in this case, someone who is missed.
Image source: Navid Saboori on Unsplash
rivrvlogr 
wonderful play of color and emotion (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe.
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it is a very touching tribute to someone who is gone and missed dearly – resonates with me
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Thank you.
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I love this, Ken. This imagining and the palpable sense of longing that comes through. I really like the way you do this through the flame–the flickering, the blue to yellow and red. Well done. Thanks for contributing!
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Thank you, Merril. I enjoyed reading the wide range of responses.
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I haven’t finished, but I am, too.
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was very moved by this. I carry many whom I miss in my heart…never thought of it as a dancing flame…that is lovely.
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🙂 Thank you.
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Hold on to the warmth and precious memories.
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Always.
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This one I will tuck away to read again periodically. Captures so well the glimpses of lost ones … brief but vivid awareness … and – as you note – always with me even when just beyond awareness.
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Thank you, Jazz. I think of some things as reminders, but, collectively, their effect is really there on a daily basis.
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The image in the fire keeps you warmer than the fire ever could. Love this, Ken!
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Thank you. 🙂 That is so true.
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Lovely flame in this flickering poem, Ken!
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Thank you, Lynn.
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Oh this is gorgeous beyond measure!!! ❤️
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Merci!
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Magnificent, the last lines are killing,
“the flame dances back and you are gone
but not your warmth….”
For me poem works at both literally and thematic levels!
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Thank you for your kind words.
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Pleasure🙏
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Love the use of colors in the way to describe warmth and connections
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Thank you, Björn.
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So beautiful, Ken! An elegy I read and reread – would be a lovely broadside!
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Thank you, Lynne! 😀
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I really like this, Ken.
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🙂 Thank you, Pat. 🙂
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Beautifully said!!
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Thank you. 🙂
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