I was in my childhood home church on Sunday. While the scent of incense lingered, I walked over to the columbarium to say hello to my dad. I saw the metal rack of votive candles. I decided to light a candle for my mother, in hospice care at the end stages of Alzheimer’s, and one for my daughter’s mother-in-law who is battling cancer. To light a candle for someone symbolizes the prayer intention. Do we need this symbols? I believe we can pray without them, of course, but something in me was comforted by the act of lighting.
I invite you to consider holy moments, whether they be in church or out in nature, perhaps even in the quiet of your day. We can set intentions and practice mindfulness. What are your intentions today? Write a small poem in the comments and encourage others who write with us.
Instead of empty…
fill
Instead of fallow…
fertile
Instead of loss…
love
Instead of lies…
truth
Instead of hopelessness…
faith
Reflections on the Teche 
Such a tender moment! We all need more spiritual moments, and candles seem to be a conduit to the spiritual realm. Lovely photo and sentiment!
Your words inspired me this morning, Margaret – a morning filled with disappointment and discontent – so I took the liberty of borrowing a few.
In the shadow of yesterday
may we experience
truth, not lies,
love, not hate,
hope, not fear
as we move
to an uncertain future.
This is a dark time. We will need each other and our poems.
I agree, Margeret. You made me think back to dark time of 2020. I had been following Jone Rush MacCullough’s blog and Sylvia Vardell’s blog for a few years. I decided to branch out and read more of the Poetry Friday blogs. That’s when I found your blog and so many others. The blogs were like a life jacket, saving me. I am so glad I found all of you. You all have been so welcoming, thoughtful, and great mentors that I have learned so much about poetry and life from. 🙂
Rose, I love your poem. It moves me and I resonate with your words. Your 1st lined hooked me and made me see a big, dark shadow hanging over us. I needed your words, especially
“truth, not lies,
love, not hate,
hope, not fear,”
Thank you, Linda.
Needed your poem this morning. Thank you.
Lord,
grant me learning in my losses
peace inside the storms
thoughtfulness in a world I don’t understand
I’m not quite to the understanding yet. I’m shell shocked and full of grief. We can be there for each other.
Thank you, Linda.
Oh Linda, I resonate with your words:
“peace inside the storms (What a great image.)
thoughtlessness in a world I don’t understand” thank you, Linda.
I wrote this this morning and it kind of fits your image today.
First Morning Coffee
Good morning, Cup of Coffee,
All will be well, be still.
There’s hope on the horizon,
So ponder, if you will
On precious times behind us,
And blessed times to come;
there is such good in all intents
If you scrounge around for some
We plead for better days ahead
We search the skies for sun
We know that Peace will come to Earth
And His will shall be done.
Good morning, Cup of Coffee,
The sun shines after night
There’s hope on the horizon,
Don’t grow weary, there’s a Light.
By Donna JT Smith ©️2024
11/6/2024
Oh Donna, I needed this prayer poem today.
Finding the light. Thank you, Donna.
Oh Donna, your poem is like a beacon of hope and light. I agree with Margaret and Rose. Thank you, I needed your poem, too. I love your poem, especially the ending
“The sun shines after night
There’s hope on the horizon,
Don’t grow weary, there’s a Light.”
I feel so much better reading everyone’s poems.
The candle glows
The piano responds
To gentle touch
Relax your breathing
Ride the in and out
Hum the tune
Let your eyes
Peer into the mist
—Karen Eastlund, draft
Thank you for your soothing poem, Karen. “Ride the in and out/Hum the tune” – sigh.
Karen your poem is beautiful. You hooked on your first line. I felt like I was with you listening to your voice recite your poem. I immediately relaxed. Thank you.
This takes me to my mother who was a pianist. She is now peering into the mist of confusion. Tears. Thanks for writing.
Margaret, I am sorry your mother is in hospice. I will say a prayer for her and you. Thank you so much for your poem. Today, I have been in a slump because of who won the election. I still can’t believe that all those people would vote for him. I thought about writing out my feelings, but I couldn’t until I read your heartfelt poem. I love your opposites, repetition, and the white space in your poem making the reader pause. Thank you for your inspiration and giving us this outlet to share our poems.
DAY AFTER HE WON
Last night,
I was positive.
I was hopeful.
Today,
I am
numb.
I am
scared.
How do we
carry on?
Can we join hands?
Can we light a candle
for positiveness.
for kindness,
for hope,
for love?
Gail Aldous draft 11/24
Yes. Light the candle for it all. We have to look for good and right and hope amidst this devastating hatred.
Thank you. You are right.
My feelings echo yours, Gail. I think we will need to light lots of candles. Stay positive.
Thank you, Rose. I agree.
My flame is flickering —
not steady
not strong
not just yet.
We will need to join our flames together.
Margaret, these words of yours spoke to me, “instead of loss…love.” I wish you love on the journey you are taking with your mom. I do not feel hopeful today, but am trying to convince myself and the people in my life.
Choosing Hope
The still, small flame
can light another
and another
and another.
The still, small flame
can turn darkness
into light.
Buffy, love your repetition of another and “the still small flame.” great ending “The still small flame / can turn darkness/ into light.
In her concession speech Kamala spoke of being the stars in the darkness. To me, poetry is a light. Thanks for writing today.
[…] her post for This Photo Wats to Be a Poem, Margaret invited small poems in response to a photo of votive candles in a church. Inspired by her […]