A CANDLE IN THE NIGHT Dec. 15/78 Karl Rigelhof

The sorrowful darkness could not dampen the vigorous flame
slashing through the thick night air
Oh, to be once more a candle burning softly in the night:
Heart seething with passionate warmth
Soul blazing with/in crimson light
But alas, a burnt wick sparks no flame
and yields no(t) warmth/heat

Memories flood the mind...
my, look how strong and true the candle burns -
A jubilant sun awakening in an orange glisten
Look how the wax drips slowly down the side,
a tear from dry eyes
(Eternity gladly sets with the sun)
The flame begins to falter, to flicker in the breeze
As deluded curls of smoke linger in stagnant space,
strangled in despair, slowly drift away
All that remains is a pool of melted wax
smothered in/by the darkness