Painting by Petrus van Schendel‘Candle’ by Carter Davis Johnson The Society July 17, 2018 Beauty, Culture, Poetry 10 Comments My candle burns at both ends Late into the night, And flickers fast, And bounces in my sight. My pen lies docile in my hand. The page is silent now. My eyes transfix; My thoughts do mix; The flame moves like her gown. I see her sway In silken dress When we were by the bay. Around her curves The silk moves slow As night approaches day. Through the curtains Runs the breeze, Warm and salty too. It grabs her gown, A slow sweet sound, And plays with waves of blue. Then she fades Into the flame That pulls me back tonight. It flickers on; My pen moves on; It burns into the night. Carter Davis Johnson is an English major and cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. He grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. CODEC Stories:Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) 10 Responses Leo Yankevich July 17, 2018 Simply put: I like it, perhaps because I love female bodily form so much. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman, whom we must defend & cherish. Leonard Cohen could have written this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqVvNpcX5HQ&list=PLe099vc7xfKhA70jKup_O0AgNWIw6dbal&index=10 This a great compliment. Reply Carter Davis Johnson July 18, 2018 Thank you for your generous compliment. I share your appreciation of form. Reply Leo Yankevich July 17, 2018 “This a great compliment.” should be “This is a great compliment.” Reply David Watt July 18, 2018 ‘Candle’ elevates the female form, and quite fittingly, takes an interesting form itself. I enjoyed your poem on the first reading, and more so on the second. Reply Carter Davis Johnson July 18, 2018 I am glad you enjoyed the poem. I try to capture a brief moment of distraction, a wandering mind connecting the movement of the dress and flame. It involves the rhythm of work and the preoccupation of the mind. The concept of elevation is a well-spoken observation. Thank you. Reply Connor Rosemond July 18, 2018 Excellent symbolism! While I may prefer your previous poem ‘Winter Whispers’, this holds up as a quite talented work as well. Keep writing! Reply Carter Davis Johnson July 18, 2018 Thank you for the kind remarks. I think the enigmatic and elusive nature of a flame can often be a fitting symbol for the mystery and strength of a woman. As Oscar Wilde put it, “Women are meant to be loved, not understood.” Reply Leo Yankevich July 18, 2018 But then again, what would Oscar Wilde know about women? Reply Connor Rosemond July 18, 2018 Ha! Reply E.V. July 19, 2018 This poem was very enjoyable! It feels like the reader is in the room beside you, as you temporarily yield to inspiration. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Captcha loading...In order to pass the CAPTCHA please enable JavaScript. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leo Yankevich July 17, 2018 Simply put: I like it, perhaps because I love female bodily form so much. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman, whom we must defend & cherish. Leonard Cohen could have written this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqVvNpcX5HQ&list=PLe099vc7xfKhA70jKup_O0AgNWIw6dbal&index=10 This a great compliment. Reply
Carter Davis Johnson July 18, 2018 Thank you for your generous compliment. I share your appreciation of form. Reply
David Watt July 18, 2018 ‘Candle’ elevates the female form, and quite fittingly, takes an interesting form itself. I enjoyed your poem on the first reading, and more so on the second. Reply
Carter Davis Johnson July 18, 2018 I am glad you enjoyed the poem. I try to capture a brief moment of distraction, a wandering mind connecting the movement of the dress and flame. It involves the rhythm of work and the preoccupation of the mind. The concept of elevation is a well-spoken observation. Thank you. Reply
Connor Rosemond July 18, 2018 Excellent symbolism! While I may prefer your previous poem ‘Winter Whispers’, this holds up as a quite talented work as well. Keep writing! Reply
Carter Davis Johnson July 18, 2018 Thank you for the kind remarks. I think the enigmatic and elusive nature of a flame can often be a fitting symbol for the mystery and strength of a woman. As Oscar Wilde put it, “Women are meant to be loved, not understood.” Reply
E.V. July 19, 2018 This poem was very enjoyable! It feels like the reader is in the room beside you, as you temporarily yield to inspiration. Reply
