Painting by *Morgan Weistling, US

 

Ethan's Lantern

 

Bernard Gieske, US

 

I saw a boy
in a straw hat
in a corner of dark
held captive by a flame

eating up air
seductively
touching his face
his breath held still

perhaps it was the blue
or flicker of yellow
that held his eyes
glued to the flame

will he recall
those stable days
how it started
just a quiver

a glowing ember
not wanting to die
yearning to burn
fighting the dark

suddenly
a flame and colors
heat and desire
like a spark finding straw
bursting into a spreading fire

a first light
a wider vision
a path into the future
lasting a life time.