Don't Let It Die Out

There once was a boy, soon to be a man.
He lived life everyday, everyday different,
Some things changing, others as solid as cement.
He realized a similarity, by closing his eyes.
A small spark among the darkness.
The spark within him.
He heard a voice say: Don’t let the light die out.

The spark is within the boy, part of him.
The part that drives away the blinding darkness,
Frightening the sinister, making it dim.
This light of his last a lifetime, his lifetime.
No one knows how long or short it’ll last.
But it doesn’t always burn with the same intensity -
much rather it is in constant flux.
Don’t let the light die out.

Some days it was dim and diminishing,
The darkness creeping inch by inch.
The light grew smaller, a bright spot in the dark.
Darkness growling into his ear:

Idiot. Stupid. What were you thinking?
Worthless. Failure. Weak. Give up. Trash.
Lonely. Worry. Stress. Why even try?
Bad example. Addict. Desperate. Pity worthy.
Insecure. Confused. Hypocrite. Stop trying.

The wind howled, as the rain poured,
All trying to douse the spark.
Yet it prevailed; keeping itself and the boy alive.
Don’t let the light die out.

Other days, it was burning, blazing, and bursting.
The spark, now a fire, would give light
As the light began to sing it's lovely song:

Self esteem. Loved. Worthy. Friendships. Family.
Trust. Honesty. Self care. Understanding.
Dreams and aspirations. Hold on to your visions.
Redeemed. Laughter. Hope.


The fire would try to light the candles of others.
By lighting them, suppressing the darkness within.
Brightening their day, perhaps a small joy to overcome tragedy.
A joke, a smile, a simple hello, an embrace.
Don’t let the light die out.

Besides the boy, who knows the state of the light?
Who asks, “how is your candle doing today?”
Does anyone take the time to ask? Rarely.
The most convincing acts are the simple ones,
perhaps a smile, a joke, a little giggle, a laugh. A thumbs up.
A simple mask for a complex soul.

Usually alone, he delights in the company of his friends.
Loves to hug others, though he seldom receives any.
Thrilled when someone texts him first, though he usually does so.
Loves to smile and laugh, even when serious.
More than what meets the eye, more than the laughs and puns.
Beyond than the childish behavior, so much more.
Look beyond the mask, at the light behind it.

The darkness growls its speech once again:

You care about others but who cares about you?
You notice the things of others, but who notices you?
Your special ability is invisibility. No one cares.
Does anyone care or notice your delicate soul?
When your dreams are falling, who helps you?
Who gathers them up and lifts them alongside you?
When you choose to love, why aren’t you loved back?
If you love and care, why is it I see no one around you?
Or is your views different than my own view?
HAHAHAHAHA!
Why protect your light if no one sees it? Let it die

The light takes a stand in front of me, smiling as I shake;
“You’ve done me proud kid, my turn.”
Light begins to flood into me as it sings:
Don’t worry. Someone does. I care.
I notice, others as well. There are those who do.
If you pay attention, I will be with you. Just look for me.
When your dreams are falling, I am your hope.
Let me lift your dreams alongside you.
You are loved, you are cared for. Believe it.
Your eyes and feelings can be deceiving;
hear them but don’t be led by them.
Don’t depend on you can see with your eyes,
Protect your light to shine on top of a hill
Where it can not hide. Let it live.
Live and believe, it’ll be okay.
I’ve been you’ve been, let me help.
Let me help.

“For I know the plans I have for you
Plans for good and not disaster,
To give you a future and a hope.”*


*Jeremiah 29:11