Lantern Light
A Journey Toward the Light That Still Burns
The wind is lost in the trees.
Somewhere ahead, a lantern burns —
a quiet heart of fire
swinging from the ribs of night.
...
I don’t know who lit it.
I only know I’m meant to follow.
...
The path is mud and thorn.
Every step bleeds the old belief from me —
the one that said light lives only in heaven.
But this one breathes on earth,
in my reach,
and it trembles like forgiveness.
...
Once, I prayed for thunder.
I prayed for signs carved into stone.
But the lantern answers softer —
a glow that says: Come as you are.
...
Its glass is cracked,
its flame nearly gone,
yet it keeps burning —
not to be seen,
but to see.
...
When I kneel beside it,
the darkness does not end.
It simply parts enough
for me to breathe again.
...
And maybe that’s what faith is —
not the fire,
but the finding...
Written in response to the “Lantern Light” Challenge, part of the Vocal+ Fall Poetry Series. This poem explores the search for faith and illumination, the quiet resilience of a light that continues to burn, even when belief feels lost.
About the Creator
Aarish
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Comments (6)
I love "the ribs of night"! You have some beautiful imagery here. Good luck in the challenge.
I love how the wind is almost... Vulnerable. From the ribs of night. Very original. It makes me think of night time as a person. A thing that lives. Love the mystery in this poem. Ooo the lantern speaks. Looks like it is a compassionate one. But to see... Hmm this line grabbed and held my attention for a while. The bit apart the darkness parting enough for you to breathe. That was so well thought out. I agree with what you said about faith. It's a simple answer but yields a lot of wisdom. Nice work Aarsh 🤗❤️
This is absolutely stunning. The line “not to be seen, but to see” really lingers.
A well-wrought rumination on faith and seeking!
Wow! The lantern “from a rib cage…”brought a literally gasp to my own diaphragm. Beautifully conveyed…especially resonate with the aspect of the mystery one who lit it
Aarsh you are a natural poet.