Song Of The Candle

I took up my pen tonight. I couldn’t seem to write

It’s like I got religion and then I lost the light

An old woman once told me she’d always felt that way

She said “Taken from the mold when it can still run

A candle might not keep you from the cold

But buy another candle, son, it’s not too much to pay

For one more try.” And I had to smile

Before I walked away

Coffeehouses bother me. I cannot tell you why

But, it never seems “hello” sounds as sweet as “goodbye”

And the waitresses in passing they remember all your names

They say “Look around and try to meet a single eye”

And “empty cups will mock me if I stay, but

Buy another coffee, Stan, it’s not too much to pay

And we will try to raise your smile

Before you walk away”

Tonight in a room full of candles

Another cup of ashes drains away

And at times it gets so hard to handle

Knowing one more song has swiftly taken wing

And I’m left alone to hear the song a lonely candle sings

The priest, I found, was nervous. He cleared his throat a lot

But, framed in stained glass windows, his eyes were lost in thought

And I said “Father, can you tell me, is some happiness my right?”

He said “Rather seek you joy, the blessings of your God

And happiness from worship in his sight

And buy another candle son, before you start to pray

And don’t forget to cross your breast

Before you walk away”

Tonight, in a room full of candles

Another cup of madness drains away

And at times it gets so hard to handle

Knowing one more simple song has swiftly taken wing

And I’m left alone to hear thhe song a lonely candle sings

One too many cigarettes, slowly burning down

And the final cup of coffee was cold and full of grounds

And maybe one last pipeful might send the words around

Still, underneath my hand this night has slipped away

And it leaves me as empty as this page

One more candle flickers out, the night is turning grey

And I just can’t watch the dying flame

I have to walk away

Tonight I have burned all my candles

Leaving only ashes in their wake

And at times, I get so hard to handle

‘Cause simple songs leave me behind, they all have taken wing

And I’m left alone to hear the song a lonely candle sings