There is this light – this lantern.
One golden flame I always turn to.
It’s got carvings, it draws patterns on the walls
and it always tells the unmasked truth.
*
The flame, my lantern’s heart,
some days it sways and flickers
enchantingly,
bewitchingly.
The other days it’s slow and calm,
its peak reaching for the skies up high.
*
Her glow is warm and soothing
It gives me hope and carries through,
when all else is weighing down on me,
she lifts me up, she sets me free.
*
I’m smitten by her shades
of red, oranges and yellows.
How they grow from faint to shining
and fade away in hush again.
The colours dance on glass walls and ceiling,
no two breaths of her look the same.
*
Her heat gently strokes my cheeks
when wind stole their warmth and stole their blush.
She dries my tears and lights the way
when storm clouds overhead would crash.
*
Her beauty, strength and tenderness
draw me close in soft embrace.
She keeps secrets I’ve dared to confess.
She’s strong yet gentle, all at once.
*
Some nights I sit for hours, two.
The other times for just a trice.
Some nights I’m there to see the view,
more often for advice.
*
Throughout my life she’s been there for me,
my comfort,
sometimes for simply company.
She’s always there when life gets tough,
when sorrow washes over me,
when everything is just too much,
when important words were left unsaid.
She's still there, believes in me.
*
I never questioned,
never asked
where did she come from
or why she chose to stay with me.
Until one day to show my thanks,
I smiled at her.
I reached out my finger
and warily swept over her golden painting of a wall.
*
To my surprise,
my finger met itself on glass,
on a mirror that I never noticed there before.
*
My eyes –
filled with gratitude,
then confusion,
and finally the realization –
looked back at me with ancient wisdom.
*
And the lantern,
the light I always turn to,
in my chest, she flickered on
knowingly,
spilling golden warmth on me.
I rest my hands on her,
and feel quiet, muffled thumps
knocking on my warmed-up palms.
About the Creator
Cristal S.
I’ve noticed when I follow the path I enjoy most, I often end up swimming upstream. So here I am, right in the middle of it – writing about it all and more. ♡
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (16)
Back to say congrats on your placement in the challenge. I knew this was a special one when I first read it and subscribed. Glad the judges agreed.
This is a stunning, introspective piece that beautifully realizes the light, comfort, and truth we ultimately find within ourselves
Lovely imagery. Congrats on your TS and win! 💜
Beautiful piece, Cristal—I love the flow and the beautiful message! Congrats on your placement in the challenge, and on a glorious work of art! 🩷✨
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Stunning. You did amazing 🙏🙏👏👏
Hi! I’m new here. This is such a lovely take on the lantern challenge— you were the light all along. 😊 Congratulations on top story! 💕
What a beautiful reflection of inner light and resilience. The metaphor of the lantern seamlessly transforms into a symbol of self-awareness and strength, revealing profound emotional depth.
Beautiful
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations on Top Story. This poem is such an easy read. It's like a meandering path, but it's controlled by your language. Your rhyming is lyrical. Really enjoyed the read!
Two things. This is stunning and love how you turned the poem inward. Sublime. Also, congrats on Top Story! I have now subscribed to you and looking forward to reading more of your work!
Congratulations on the top story, beautiful poem and I especially liked these lines at the end: I rest my hands on her, and feel quiet, muffled thumps knocking on my warmed-up palms.
This is so beautiful. I love how the lantern turns out to be a reflection of inner strength.
This was so deep and beautiful! Loved it so much!
Beautifully written, Cristal.