You are the unwavering flame
Beaming luminance into the shadows
Of my thick and silent solitude
You are the waxing moon
In my darkest night
Where direction proves elusive
You are the anchor
Armed with flukes of succor
For this flotsam soul adrift
You are the scanty melodies
Heard faintly within the howling wind
Blowing tumbleweeds through my void
You are the voice that rivals
The illusions that gather on the banks
Of that river in Egypt
You are vulnerable in your power
Powerful in your vulnerability
Paradox personified
You are the doorway to sweet surrender
Nocturnal longings realized
Passion trails etched in my back
You are my mirror
My confidant
The outcome of my choosing
Copyright © Henri Ferguson 2004
Author notes
This poem started while I was staring at this candle whose flame was absolutely perfect in its stillness. The visual was absolutely mesmerizing when combined with subdued atmosphere of low light with soothing and healing music in the air. I came up with the idea of the flame personifying a lover with the qualities I value. This has been in the works for some time, and I have worked on this in a few different locations, so many different experiences have culminated in this piece.
Written July 15th, 2004
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Poetic beauty
Candles, flames, fire are such wonderful metaphors - and so inspiring too. I guess therefore there are so many cliches about candles and flames! Something about candles that just moves something in me - I can relate to the "nocturnal longing"... And see how it has inspired you to write a dream from a single flame - and absolutely nothing cliched about this poem, rather fresh and one that indulges all the senses! This is a beautiful poem with inherent poetic beauty and depth - gentle, but also with subtle tinges of sensuality. I also loved the lines "you are my mirror" - so much truth in it and so much "power" in the reflections we see and receive. Had to smile about "that river in Egypt" - very creative!! The reference to the paradox - I had to smile at that too...you could have painted me here in words, lol.
Simply a beautiful poem and I am so thankful that Sonia recommended your poetry to me. I will be back to read more - take care!
~ Nicolette
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I don't know how I missed this one.
So very lovely, and the image of you watching that candle in its stillness adds to the feeling of this piece.
so many lines in this that I adored.
"You are the scanty melodies
Heard faintly within the howling wind"
"You are vulnerable in your power
Powerful in your vulnerability"
"You are my mirror
My confidant
The outcome of my choosing"
All of these lines bring different things to my mind.
I seem to have a propensity for "hearing" music in my mind at the oddest moments. Whether its the beat..or the lyrics, music is always an accompaniment in good times and bad.
I just keep reading the next line over and over. Not sure why I am so drawn to that paradox. Or is it paradox?
And the last line...shows strength. The outcome of YOUR choosing. I just like that thought...
Very lovely poem Henri...I loved it.
Hugs... Mary ann
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When we can focus on the good, the spritual, the magical, the take-your-breath-away sighs we feel when their face drifts across our mind, something like this is inspired. Of course, I have told you, you write with a heavenly pen when you are writing about love. I so enjoy to read those writes, to feel this way is to experience such beauty in our lives. I like to visit your pages, they always put a smile on my face.
~ becky
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"Passion trails etched in my back
You are my mirror
My confidant" (oh, that is just beautiful) !!
Every girl would hope to have a man feel this way about them... such love and admiration pouring out of this. Really lovely writing. I hope i find a guy like this someday :-)
Much respect,
~ Wendy
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wow great poem. I love it to pieces. Some of what I kinda value in a person. Check out some of my poems and my friend's poem. Her user name is cory gage and her real name is rebecka. I helped her write the poem she's got on her page. She's new to the site and could use any tips you can give her.
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This is a Rhapsody of images and words my friend. As life, gathered together whole. Simply beautiful, and I would have loved to see that flame. Bravo! You're pen is Golden and I gathered peace from these words.
Red -
Henri, your poetry gives me hope that I may someday possess the grace and presence of mind to write a piece so captivating! I must come back and nibble on your delicious words again.
~Angela -
This entire poem is perfection...I do however love this stanza.
"You are vulnerable in your power
Powerful in your vulnerability
Paradox personified"
"passion trails etched in my back" Such intense moments that cause that.
Really an exquisite piece of writing...
Anne
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Wonderful emotions
It felt good reading this. Man, you must have been writing about an angel..., your twin soul perhaps. A poem like a warm summer breeze. Thank you.
Rage -
I love this Henri. Beautifully penned . Creates a definitive atmosphere of warmth and optimism - spirituality and deep emotion. Not sure if it intended for another - or whether it was written as an expression of self acceptance and comfort in terms of embracing yourself as a whole. ( a long and scenic journey but well worth the effort ).
As a side note - the easy option is to remain angry or bitter - self pitying and pessimistic - the difficult part is learning to challenge yourself - and channel this into something more constructive - learning to smile again - being at complete peace with yourself and those around you . It's amazing how different the world is when viewed from this angle...
Inspirational words.
~ Sonia ~ X
Edited on Jul 17, 6:35 because ''. -
Much can be contained with the element of fire...warmth, comfort, visions, lovers, life and death; all of which, touch us in varying ways. You have expounded such, magnificently and gave it a physicality beyond its natural form.
LLL,
T
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You know Henri, this has such depth of soul.. almost erotic yet filled with loving splendour.. can almost taste the tangible feelings this brought.. amazing stuff sir.. well penned
~GILL~xxxx -
You know Henri, things are meant to be when you hear melodies in the wind. When everywhere ...everything brings them to mind. When life..and circumstance, and just plain old "everyday" emphasizes what you feel for that person. ( I could share a "million" twisted ironies there...the latest which only happened yesterday.)
And when you love someone...they are on your mind constantly. No wonder you would see the candle flame..and become inspired.
And hearing melodies in the wind? A very inspired line. Sometimes people are just meant to be a part of our lives...meant to be the very heart of us. And if we are open to it. Out lives are never...ever the same again.
Beautiful wording, deep emotions and your flawless touch, Henri come through in this tender and touching poem. Love is the ultimate inspiration...no?
Thank you for sharing this one..
Maddie
Edited on Jul 16, 7:11 because ''. -
This made me want to swim in the Nile
and look for some succulent flukes.
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This is an amazing peice! wonderful flow of words, and very uplifting, relaxing, everything peaceful, thank you!
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Am so glad i clicked here. This is just so sweet, and i love your style and the flow of your words. Relaxing and mesmerising....like a massage i guess...poetic massage though. Smiles..
Joanie -
Incredible!
Great Job! This poem is just amazing..it left me in awe. I love the lines "Blowing tumbleweeds through my void.." and "You are the doorway to sweet surrender." just incredible!! -
'...shadows of my thick and silent solitude'/'flotsam soul adrift'/'THE OUTCOME OF MY CHOOSING'!!! Oh my ferg...{gasp} this is SO lovely...what a poet you are, indeed! Just absolutley elegant in the telling...(& know intended was THRILLED to receive! wouldn't we ALL be?)...Grand write, ferg!...swan
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How do I critique a piece of eloquent beauty? I can only wish for the ability to write a piece with half the grace that this poem holds.When I read pieces such as this I truely see how much my own work lacks.Thank you for sharing. Jacki
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the bomb-as the kids say
Dear Ferg,
This was a VERY thought out writing.I love the title and the the poem culminated into the title. Very provocative.
Regards From las Vegas,
John(bluffininlv)
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Soft, quiet, and sweet. It's such a simple format and yet you draw more vivid pictures than others manage with triple the words. I like the metaphors, keep it up. I wish you and your 'paradox personified' the best of happiness.
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Wow, this is excellent! Such wonderful use of words. <3
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beautiful
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A TREAT!!!!
Henri I am soooooooooooooooooo glad I stopped by to give this a read...this is sooooooooooooo mesmerizing, enchanting and utterly superb in quality, feeling, expression and craftsmanship...Wow what a readers treat this night I have most definitely had here!!!! -
Pure and Spiritual
Dearest Henri
What sweet harmony in this write - meditative, layered, spiritual. Converging internal and external experiences, the candle became a metaphor for Eternal Passion; Eternal Purification; Eternal Perfection. A healing write, indeed.
I looked into a candle's flame, last week, and realized that the centre of the flame is a darker shade - as if it is a silent sanctuary, surrounded by fire ...
Well done, my friend.
Myra
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