Is Love A Candle?

Is love a candle

to keep a flame burning 

in the vast open night?

Is love the match

that lights the candle?

Is love the rose that

heralds the restless prick of passion

I lay upon in my sleep,

and returns each day, again and again?

After all, 

you kindled the flame in my heart,

without the flame

the heart becomes bitter

and hardens and soon begins to die.

The match,

and the candle,

and the luxury of burning in your arms

in the bloom of night

Is love

and

our love alone.

—Stephen Cipot