Once there was a candle that burned in the dark.
The flame started off with the smallest spark.
It said: “I will light the whole wide world!”
Its flame flickered, spun, and swirled.
Slowly the darkness faded away,
And the night turned into the purest day.
The light grew strong, tall, and steady,
But the shadows and clouds said: “Enough already!
What happened to the somber blackish cloud?
I like the dusk! No light allowed!”
So, the darkness tried to hide the light.
It was a mean and nasty fight.
The light had to get rough and tough,
And said: “I’m the one who’s had enough!”
The candle kept burning bright as ever.
It found ways to shine that were very clever.
If the darkness tried to blow a wind,
And thought it had the candle thinned,
The candle turned the direction it blew,
And soon the dark didn’t know what to do.
The wind only caused the light to blaze,
Shining its rays without any delays.
If someone tried to step on the candle,
It burned the bottom of the person’s sandal,
Until the person removed his foot,
And understood the candle would stay put.
If someone tried to dump some water,
The candle just burned hotter and hotter.
It would not let the water douse its glow,
Not with rain, sleet, or even snow.
At times people tried to freeze the candle.
And make ice out of its lovely handle.
But then the candle would warm the holder,
And it would only grow bolder and bolder.
If someone cut off the air in the room,
The candle didn’t fear impending doom,
It held its breath until the air returned.
The candle churned, learned, and yearned.
If someone put a metal lid on its head,
It smoldered and smoked windows instead
Until the person took the cover off.
Smog made people sneeze and cough.
If someone threw a towel on its flame,
The candle burned it up; it was never the same.
If someone threw salt, it only added flavor,
And the candle didn’t even waver.
If the wick of the candle was at its end,
It caused itself to stretch and bend
Beyond the hard and flaky wax.
The candle could not afford to be lax.
If someone chipped the wax at its side,
The wax melted itself, and then it dried
Over the gouges and the insults galore.
The candle still shined even when it was sore.
If someone threw dirt or mud or sand,
The candle knew it would have to stand
Until the bullies put down their slime.
Sometimes this took a little bit of time.
If the darkness got darker, the light only stood out.
Its background was the night without a doubt.
The darkness and the light could not compare.
Who wants a curse when you can say a prayer?
Then one day, a bucket covered its face.
The candle thought this was a huge disgrace.
The little light that could was so courageous
And decided it would become contagious.
It lit the bucket into a great wildfire.
It spread to the left, the right, and higher.
A bushel or basket couldn’t hold back the light.
Everyone knew that this just wasn’t right.
So, the wildfire lit several more candles.
One little candle had started some scandals.
At least the little candle was no more alone.
It had multiplied itself, quite like a clone.
So, the world was brighter than ever before!
The darkness had become almost a bore.
The sun, the moon, the stars caught on, too.
Why be the dark when no one can see you?
So, the light and the darkness had to sever.
It seemed like such a wonderful endeavor.
The light shone in the dark and was not overcome.
The darkness could no more beat its drum.
People lit their lanterns, candles, and torches.
They set them out on their front porches.
No one and nothing could be a damper.
The darkness could not even try to tamper.
All because of one brave little candle
That knew the darkness had been a vandal.
It never gave up, and it never gave in.
It would not let the dark side win.
So, one little light became a sign
That light and love were simply divine.
Copyright 2014 Jennifer Waters
https://soundcloud.com/jen-waters/one-little-light-spoken-word-narrated-by-jen-waters
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