Saturday, November 26, 2022

The Weight of Lights

Moths swerve to candles as the weight 
Of light pulls them in orbit about a flame. 

I look north from the Sacramento Airport 
To the oak trees bunched on Elverta Road 
Where my parents’ home once gleamed 
Like a candle of love wrought wax drawing 
Out my childhood of old December nights. 

Now that house is gone, moved to a place 
Where the light does not penetrate as far. 

Now it is a December morning rushing me 
Back to Hawai‘i, where my wife and children 
Glow with warmth. That glow draws me home 
As a parent. If light has no mass, how can lights 
Past and present weigh so much within my chest? 
What does a moth do between two candles?

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