Why Do Candles Dance - A Poem

Why do candles dance?

I remember that one question flitting through my mind as I stared at my lavender candle, watching the fiery light flicker and dance with fragmented beams in the dark room. I let the thought sit in my mind for a few seconds, decided that was a very poetic question and jotted it down... and thus this poem was born.

I ended up using this "fiery" inspiration for a remembrance day writing competition since I had been searching for something to write for that. And so I sat down with that idea, thought, "how am I going to make the sentence 'why do candles dance' about remembrance day?", and dove right in.

This poem became a little more than an ode for remembrance day though, it dug a little deeper.

As I wrote, I thought about what those soldiers would have gone through or thought, and I tied it into this notion of candles dancing despite the fact that their "fiery life" is waning. And I ended up writing about finding joy amidst the pain and about hope that never washes away.

And though this poem was intended for remembrance day, it ended up going deeper, and it ended up being very applicable to the current times.

Perhaps you're struggling through these times, wondering where God is amidst all the bad. Wondering how to find joy in what seems joyless. Wondering how to find peace when there seems to be chaos all around. Wondering where hope is when there seems to be no hope.

And I want to tell you that all that can be found in Jesus. All that and more. And His joy, His hope, His peace, His love, is never snuffed out; it never even once wavers.

So though it might be hard to see during these times, He is still here. He is still working. He is still moving. And He makes us apart of that when we accept Him.

In Him, you can find joy, peace and hope through any storm or darkness, because like that candle shining in the dark, so does Jesus' light shine, though his light never flickers out. His is the hope that never washes away. He is the only hope.

So before I say anymore, I'll let the poem speak for itself, and I truly hope that it impacts you and is an ode that turns your eyes to Jesus and his unfailing promise of joy, peace and hope with us through every bit of darkness:

Why Do Candles Dance- An Ode of Remembrance

Whilst in the midst of pain:

Why do candles dance

Why does light spin and dapple

Why do poppies blow

And the leaves flutter and twirl

Whilst in the midst of hardship:

Why does it seem like God is gone

Whilst in the midst of war:

Why does is seem like hatred rears its ugly head

Whilst in the midst of suffering:

Why does it seem like a dark river surges

Where is the hope when all seems to be lost!?

Where is the peace when there is war!?

Where is the joy when hollow shots echo across the fjord!?

Is this what they cried? Is this what they questioned?

With deep groans from the depths of their being,

Is this what their keening voices screamed to the hateful wind!?

How can candles dance as their fiery life wanes

And their flames slowly burn low

Why do candles dance?

Why do candles dance?

Why do candles dance!?

But maybe. But perhaps. Perchance. A sorrowful voice entreats:

It is because, as its life burns away,

It must know: that though the mighty pain wears heavy,

There is still joy to show

For through the pain. Through the turmoil. Through the hurting.

Through the suffering. Through the hardship and the war

What if like a slowly inching tide, hope still washes up on the shore

Why do candles dance. They asked. We asked. They held onto. We behold.

Why do candles dance? Well, candles dance

Because hope always has a hold