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when all the stars are gone

for the lantern light challenge 🏮

By angela hepworthPublished 3 months ago 1 min read
Runner-Up in 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

inspirationalsad poetryFree Verse

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

  1. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  2. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (12)

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  • John Cox3 months ago

    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! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

  • Sara Wilson3 months ago

    I love this. Congratulations on running up!

  • Marilyn Glover3 months ago

    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!🥰

  • Aarish3 months ago

    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.

  • Jamye Sharp3 months ago

    Sad, but beautiful.

  • This was so profound and beautifully written. Loved it! Hope you're doing well Angela

  • very nice

  • Sandy Gillman3 months ago

    This is stunning, haunting yet strangely comforting.

  • D. J. Reddall3 months ago

    This poem emits a soft, obstinate light of its own.

  • Shirley Belk3 months ago

    You have written a beautiful poem here...soulful and comforting when comfort is hard to find. Thank God for the "lanterns" in our life.

  • Margaret Brennan3 months ago

    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.

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