when all the stars are gone
for the lantern light challenge 🏮

if there will be no sun, no warmth, no light of heaven to guide me
let me at the least turn to the pale yellow glow of the lantern light
when nightfall comes as it does, like a turned page in a dark room
like a pen swiped too hard then cracking, ink tumbling across the sky
—
if there will be no peace, no quiet, no solutions to be heard
let us gather by the lantern instead to stare into its strange glow
let it beam in the places where luminance lacks, dragging its smolder through the blackness
like a silence that feels like death when it sits too long
—
if there will be no reason, no savior, no price to pay
the lantern will never go out; the world will never be saved
but even with the stars gone, the lantern light can be found
illuminating our faces just the same
About the Creator
angela hepworth
Hello! I’m Angela and I enjoy writing fiction, poetry, reviews, and more. I delve into the dark, the sad, the silly, the sexy, and the stupid. Come check me out!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions


Comments (12)
Amazing poetry, Angela. I love the idea that when every other light fails, even the stars, that one small light yet remains. It's both dark and yet still hopeful in the end. Congratulations on placing in the challenge, richly deserved!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I love this. Congratulations on running up!
Astounding lines: "let it beam in the places where luminance lacks, dragging its smolder through the blackness like a silence that feels like death when it sits too long" Congratulations, Angela, on your win!🥰
Your imagery is both celestial and deeply human; the “ink tumbling across the sky” is a breathtaking metaphor for creation within chaos. A luminous meditation on survival.
Sad, but beautiful.
This was so profound and beautifully written. Loved it! Hope you're doing well Angela
very nice
This is stunning, haunting yet strangely comforting.
This poem emits a soft, obstinate light of its own.
You have written a beautiful poem here...soulful and comforting when comfort is hard to find. Thank God for the "lanterns" in our life.
I always enjoyed the soft, warm glow of a lantern. When I was younger, I'd take my young sons camping. The moon, the open fire, and the lantern were our only lights. What peaceful weekends we had. Your story reminded me of that. Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories of long, long ago.