When I was an older child, I was fascinated by running my fingers swiftly through the flickering flame...it seemed as if my fingers, and the flame for a moment were within each others embrace...but I was careful to not linger...all too aware of the sting that could remain. Some lovers can be that way...fasinated by the warmth of the embrace, yet they will not linger, for they are afraid of getting burned.
We long for the spark of something more
warmth of light enveloping an empty orb
solitude extinguished and kinship ignited
with one touch of the match onto the wick
yet once the flicker transforms into
a steady flame
a mystery smolders in the light
some hearts will hold the flame true
like a sturdy lamp
embracing the beauty's glow
and it's sting
but like the scattering of dry leaves
some lovers swiftly move on
for fear of getting burned.
I recently went with my husband to his 30 year class reunion. There were many people there with the same old story; they had married, had children, divorced, and started new families with grandchildren as well. But amongst the many, there were two couples that had been highschool sweethearts, married in highschool, and were still together to this day. I became completely fascinated by them. When I had a chance, I asked one of them what their secret was...she simply replied "we were friends from the start and we are friends now."...but there is more that I can add to this observatiion. When the music started and the DJ invited the couples to come on down, they were the first couples out there, and when the last song played they were still out there dancing their hearts out. You could tell that they embraced life whole heartedly. I realize now, they are what you call true "keepers of the flame".
