A Candle to the Sun
My friend was, and I am, a Christian, but we admired the way the chosen people practice their faith. One of their teachings is that the unrighteous man is dead even while he lives; but the righteous man is alive even in death.
On the eve of the death anniversary, the mourner lights a candle which is left to burn the night through. The next day, the he visits the righteous man's grave. Prayers are made. The mourner donates a gift to the poor in the name of the dead man--and so in death, the righteous man lives on.
Yet what is a candle compared to a life? What are a few dollars donated to the poor at such a time? What is a book, when the making of books will never end? Though this gift is as a candle raised to the Sun, it is what I have to give. Forgive me, and thank you.
To Parsifal:
My thunderstorm,
My strength,
My Sun.
Always,
Spook
On the eve of the death anniversary, the mourner lights a candle which is left to burn the night through. The next day, the he visits the righteous man's grave. Prayers are made. The mourner donates a gift to the poor in the name of the dead man--and so in death, the righteous man lives on.
Yet what is a candle compared to a life? What are a few dollars donated to the poor at such a time? What is a book, when the making of books will never end? Though this gift is as a candle raised to the Sun, it is what I have to give. Forgive me, and thank you.
To Parsifal:
My thunderstorm,
My strength,
My Sun.
Always,
Spook
Singing from Silence available here
Excerpt from Singing from Silence @ Pamela Richards 2010
Photo @ Pamela Richards 2010