Luminaria

Start at the beginning, 
And end at the end. 
I've kept a little chapel for you 
Stuffed with the memories of bright summer days 
Dried flowers, dove calls, and dust 
At the darkeneing of every evening 
I would put sand in paper bags 
And candles in the sand 
And place them along the path 
And light them one by one 
So someday you would find your way back to me 
Some nights there were many 
Blazing a trail of fire in the darkness 
Some nights there were few 
Shining pinprick beacons of light 
But the number gradually diminished 
Until one night there were none. 
I light a tiny fire of unsent letters and watch it burn, 
Then turn my back on the ashes 
And the summer days 
And the fresh-cut flowers 
And the mournful cries of the doves 
I lock the chapel behind me 
Lay your memory to rest 
In the columbarium I built for you 
And with my head wrapped in chiming silence 
I fade into the new-minted dawn. 
Start at the beginning, 
End when you're done. 


Author:
Elynne

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