1st Place - Jessica Kenely (7th)

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Candles

A candle, lit in the darkness,
Lit by a shaking hand,
But lit, nonetheless.

The flame burns alone.

Far away in the darkness,
A wick sparks,
And moves towards the light.

Two flames burn steadily.

A third wick, damp with dew,
Dries in the light of the fire.
The wick lights.

Three lights create a haze of doubt.

Slowly, more candles are lit,
Until the world, silent with night,
Rings with the sounds of peace.

Smoke fills the dark sky with uncertainty.

One wick sputters.
But there is always another flame
To relight the fire.

Then, hailed by the hope of light,
Brought upon us by centuries,
Of those who stand strong for peace, and have dreams and visions of joy,

The Sun Rises.

© 2008 Jessica Kenely