The Flame Within

By Nathaniel E. Hocker on March 20, 2020

When our world becomes cold with stillness, our flame burns.

When our moments of gathering are removed for the cause of protection, our flame burns.

When arrows of panic wound the quality of life we’ve always known, our flame burns.

When the need to hold a hand is replaced with thoughts and prayers, our flame burns.

When the weight of darkness bears on the light, our flame burns.

When the pieces don’t seem to fit the whole, our flame burns.

When a lie is disguised as truth, our flame burns.

When love seems too great a distance to reach, our flame burns.

When the color of a rose is distorted by shade, our flame burns.

When our feet fail to remember the dance, our flame burns.

When the privilege of dismissal replaces the promise to protect, our flame burns.

When our minds are overtaken with confusion, our flame burns.

When locusts of fear annihilate the harvest of hope, our flame burns.

When the window of opportunity seems to have shut permanently, our flame burns.

When fear leads to hate, and hate to suffering, our flame burns.

When the noise of routine is smothered by an order of silence, our flame burns.

We must never extinguish what was meant to shine . . . the flame within.