The Candle Burns Down

The Candle Burns Down

We melt a little each day.
The candle burns down.

And it may wonder at times,
it may wonder: 

What will become of me? 
What will happen 
to my precious flame? 

O', you will become so much brighter,
my dear, so much brighter. 

           
        Spanish poet Antonio Machado wrote, "I thought the fire was out, and stirred the ashes...and burnt my fingers." Have you ever though the candle in your soul has perished? Perhaps your ideas and pursuits in life have been shot down, perhaps the internal road has become too long and the moonlight too far away. Perhaps things are more physical, your body is bearing more chores than it can, your soul feels heavy and out-of-wear. But no, Machado reminds us that just when we think the fire has gone out, we can stir the ashes, and find our candle still aflame. Go to those who rekindle you, who recognize the remaining sparks before the lack of oxygen snuffs them out.
         One of my favorite verses from Machado is from his poem, "Traveller There Is No Path".

"Traveler, your footprints

are the only path, nothing else.

Traveler, there is no path;

the path is made by walking.

By walking one makes the path,

and upon glancing back

one sees a path

that will never be trod again.

Traveler, there is no path; only trails across the sea."

Hello World (2010), Lady Antebellum