Two Candles

Two candles flicker in the wind

impervious to storm or gale

burning as one, bright and steady.

Intertwined, their combined flames can withstand

all of nature and man

I laugh, I smile, I tease, I question, I philosophize

I sympathize, I joke with this woman

As I have for so very long.

We have been sharing our thoughts, our discoveries

of life and love since we were children.

We have grown old together.

I am never happier than when we are alone,

Talking together about a past that still seems near and

A future together that knows no end.

I am still discovering, after nearly a half century together,

New depths of love for this woman who remains forever young in my eyes.

I cherish our conversation that started so long ago,

that continues and will until that unimaginable day when

as it must, a flame will sputter and a life will end.

How can two lives that live as one continue alone?

If I must stay behind, I pray to God the stay be brief,

For surely the sun will disappear from my being.

To comprehend the blackness of that day fills my soul with feelings

I cannot describe. That day when joy and purpose and completeness

Go out of my life, I will be so utterly alone.

But as it is in life, it goes on, and I will also, thanking God for allowing

Me the love and companionship of one of his chosen creations for such a

Long time, but not long enough, lest it was eternity.

Remembering our lifetime conversation will bring melancholy smiles to my

face knowing that the remaining candles flame is growing dim and will

soon sputter and on one glorious day will build to a glorious brilliance and go out.

On that wonderful day, the conversation will begin anew.