Dawn Hamilton - Candles And Rain

The summer rain falls steadily
I can hear its antediluvian melody
Played out on my roof
And through my window
The droplets on the window are softly illuminated
by the candles that light the inside

The house smells like candles and rain
The cats are all asleep, so apparently they approve

Far from my snug little cabin
tonight my oldest sister is quietly dying

Logically speaking I know
She’ll finally know painlessness
She has endured so much pain
And for that blessing,
there is comfort for her -
because, in truth -
After a lifetime spent
bearing the burdens of others
She deserves to rest

But my heart is breaking

She is as a Mother to us all
She was all we knew of safety

Would that I could be truly useful
That I could ease her agony
Quiet her fears,
dry the rain that falls from her eyes
As she has for us these many years

Helplessness and fear battle in my chest
I’m not sure who will win
But I do know that I’ll go outside for awhile
And ask the rain to take her my love -
Ask the candle flame to warm her -
Ask the wind to dry her weeping -

Because she would love it tonight
When everything smells like candles and rain


(Copyrighted 6/16/06)

Dawn Hamilton

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/candles-and-rain/