A candle is lit.
The wick burns,
Turns black,
and shrivels into dust.

A room is filled with light,
Some smoke,
and a bit of heat.

The wax melts and drips
On to a cold stone floor.
And drips
And drips
Until the flame dies.
The room is retaken
By the darkness.
The smoke clears
The heat dissipates.
The candle is replaced.

4 October 1999