Michael Pruchnicki - A Single Birthday Candle

Good Christ, he said to the mirror
you certainly look your age
hair retreating to the rear
bleary eyes
gray stubble
another night spent carousing
takes a toll all right
you could have spent the hours
instead
on the unfinished manuscript
lying bereft on the desk

'Tell us what you thought
when you embarked on this voyage,
leaving your native land
for the shores of Chicago?
No answer? - you faltered
for fear of failure? ....'

He turned from his reflection
to light a single candle
in the dark

Michael Pruchnicki

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-single-birthday-candle/