Drop your offering in the box. Light a candle at the shrine. Join it to those wasting flames Ere the last forget to shine. Endless darkness gathers round Drowning every star to-night! Here at least your soul has found One small ring of candle-light. Grief unuttered, love unbreathed, Burning upward, each alone; Memories with each flame enwreathed -- Add one more, then, of your own. Some are spent and guttering low, Speechless little hopes and prayers. You, the wise one, you, who know -- Add your midget flame to theirs. Ask not by that misty gleam What your sightless eyes can trace. Ask not if Murillo's dream Hides the beauty of Her face. Drop your offering in the box. Light your candle at the shrine. Some one, entering in the dark, Later on, may see it shine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SNOW-STORM; SCENE IN A VERMONT WINTER by CHARLES GAMAGE EASTMAN SONNET TO ALISA ROCK by JOHN KEATS THE VIRGINIANS OF THE VALLEY by FRANCIS ORRERY TICKNOR LET ALL THE EARTH KEEP SILENCE by LUCY A. K. ADEE POPULARITY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THERE IS NOTHING STRANGE by ARCHILOCHUS |