Candles
By Maureen Baraka Bonfante
It,
burns.
Now.
For yesterday.
For todays and tomorrows.
Undulating,
like the gymnast's silk scarf in dance.
Flicker, Flicker. Sway.
Carried by and put out, by the the air.
Ignited. Igniting.
Apple, vanilla, cinnamon, lilac, orange, rose.
Wedding Day.
Birthday numero uno or one hundred.
Held in tribute or silent protest.
Power outages. Crises.
Combustion => Fire.
Small. Contained.
Guiding lights.
Trick or not.
LIFE!
Them.
They.
She.
He.
Us.
I.
Candles. Life. That is what my buddy Ms. S and I chatted about during lunchtime on Wednesday. She was asked by a member of her congregation to prepare a birthday tribute, message to commemorate the special day. It was about candles, hardships, ones triumphs, personal and spiritual growth through struggles faced, gemmed by scripture, etc. And sacrifice. In order for a candle to issue light, a sacrifice must be made by the wax. It melts away until nothing remains, holding the wick in place, housing the burning flame safely for man to hold. If fuels the flame and protects the wick from burning too quickly. It makes the light last as long as it can. Candles are simple but amazing systems of light.Ms. S and I talked about how we get light from others, through sharing thoughts, feelings, counsel, comfort. Sometimes it's just being there, being positive. And how after feeling a new from the light we receive, it passes on. Naturally, without thought, as the heart beats, as the lungs breathe to sustain the body's life. A positive domino effect, which steams from the smallest gestures at times. Her candle message inspired by a friend who helped her choose a motif and saying for the birthday card. Her sharing of the message she prepared and how it came about inspiring me.
Haiti's Earthquake
Twenty hours earlier, January 12th, 4:53PM a 7.0 earthquake, 13km (8.1 miles) deep, struck the nation of Haiti. In a few short minutes, the time it takes to get your morning coffee, pick up a sandwich, wrap, pizza for lunch, or afternoon snack for tea time, the foundations supporting the people, infrastructure of the poorest nation in the northern hemisphere was wrecked unmercifully.
I don't want to comment much on the absurdities people in positions of high influence in political, religious and other arenas are spewing and feeding to others through various media. There is a nation of 9 million hurting next door to US!!! Body spewing blood like a broken fire hydrant, dying from starvation and disease. Politicking, pandering, and profiteering (not just monetarily), drinking in "ego" shots, on the blood of the victims of Haiti's quake. These are defective candles.
Pictures of Hope and Devastation
Top: Spanish rescuer with 2 year old Redjeson Hauston and father Claude at right.
Boy reaching out for H2O (AP).
Boy reaching out for H2O (AP).
Bottom: Girl crying after the quake, picture by Tequlia Minsky, NY Times. Bodies (AP)
The world is filled with pain and suffering, but we CAN CHOOSE how to react. Bystander? Participant? Ostrich with head in earth? With compassion or empathy? What the world needs now is to get as many candles lit, passing light on and on, like an Olympic torch.
Neil Young's song "Light a Candle" conveys a beautiful message, fitting for the times we are living in, marking the dawn of a new decade in our human history. Following the lyrics and video clip are two others I found were a good compliment as today is Martin Luther King Day. One brought to my attention by my friend Mr. A (another example of passing the light), "Lean on Me," by Playing For Change (Peace Through Music) by a group of campers and volunteers at the Anaheim YMCA at Camp Fox in Catalina Island, CA, the second "Students remember 'I have a dream' speech," at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
As we reflect on our lives, in what has come to pass let's remember the little ones who will be the leaders and caretakers of the nation of Haiti. Who like our children have dreams we can help come true.
As we reflect on our lives, in what has come to pass let's remember the little ones who will be the leaders and caretakers of the nation of Haiti. Who like our children have dreams we can help come true.
Light a Candle
by Neil Young
Instead of cursing the darkness,
light a candle for where we're going.
There's something ahead worth looking for.
When the light of time is on us,
we will see our moment come,
and the living soul inside will carry on.
It's a chance to give new meaning,
to every move we make,
through the caverns and the caves where we come from.
When the light of dawn is on us,
we will see what we can be,
and the ancient ones will sleep an easy sleep.
In the hallways of the ages,
on the road to history,
what we do now will always be with us.
It's a chance to give new meaning,
to every move we make,
in the caverns and the caves where we come from.
Instead of cursing the darkness,
light a candle for where we're going,
there's something ahead worth looking for.
When the light of time is on us,
we will see our moment come,
and the living soul inside will carry on.
Light a candle in the darkness
so others might see ahead.
Light a candle in the darkness when you go.
Links of Interest
Helping the Victims of Haiti's Earthquake
Doctors Without Borders
Science Facts Behind The Quake
Hypo-theses United States Geological Survey
Neil's Garage
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