Candle

He lit a peach candle
and sat on the bed
confused
alone
again
I often wondered
why he didn't just ask me
if I knew
what it was he needed from me
I always did
without question
but what are questions
compared to fear
and lost dreams
and what am I to him
in the night
when he never sees me standing there
at the foot of his bed
a guardian
a century
a post I take gladly at his dreams side
and know I am but a ghost
a mystery to his pain
a mark of the past
and a footing in the future
neither of us own
there is no certain
here
in the night
when dreams mean too much
and touch is never enough
because pain is only an illumination
that grows
ever silently
in the dim room
of our lost battles
and our forgotten ways
and a forgotten place
of peace
and salvation,
yet, I have offered this and more
quietly
as I stand
at the foot of his bed
every night
seeing more than his restless sleep
seeing the darkness creep
around him
in him
becoming him
and I stretch my light for him
and I surround him
from time to time
and yet
I find it strange
how often I do this
and each time I do
he breaks away
back into the night
back into his shadow
so here I am again
tonight
I
only the candle.

By Veronica Garcia 3-12-08

I loved this!!