A Life

She was my candle
My glowing light
Her warmth drew me and eased my heart
Her skin a pale and luminescent tallow
Her spine graceful and straight as a taper
Her core, a wick that drew everything good
And held the flame
Light and lively
Entrancing

Now smoke grey curls around her face
Her skin has melted and sagged
These lines and hanging beads
Have made a pattern of life unique
And beautiful to behold

Her flame sparked, grew tall
It flickered and danced
Her smooth body eventually
Dripped and shrunk
Dead, her body cools
Released from her energy
Her heat
That she gave in life, continuously
Now part of the world forever