Wednesday, 6 March 2013

The Candle-Seller





She sells candles to light a house of god
and I buy a few even though I am faithless
my motives rarely stand up well if probed
to cadge a benefit from somewhere, I guess
maybe her piety will somehow rub off
if there’s a just god, he’ll become easier to address
lighting a flame in there will do the job
and inch me closer, get me some access
or maybe it’s all simpler than I thought
there’s no cause for nonstop fuss and obsess
maybe she reminds me of someone I’ve lost
maybe she and her candle are the goddess.









Shared for OLN @dVerse














 
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18 comments:

  1. Anonymous6 March 2013 at 02:22

    Oh, my goodness, I love this! I have felt like this many times. All this month, I'm writing about my very tangled relationship with religious faith, so this really hit home. I love your use of form and rhyme as well.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose6 March 2013 at 12:00

      Thank you, lots of tangles to straighten out there.

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  2. Laurie Kolp6 March 2013 at 02:42

    I do love candles...

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  3. Brian Miller6 March 2013 at 04:43

    maybe they are...or are a small piece you know...while i dont buy into ritual for ritual sake i do believe in a connectedness in all of us...regardless our religeous stances...and candles def make me think of rememberances...

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    1. Nilanjana Bose6 March 2013 at 12:05

      That's one of the basic tenets of Hindu philosophy - the interconnectedness of the universe...def believe in that...not particularly fond of rituals, but revere them for their sense of history...something that's been done for 1500 years becomes valued just from repetition somehow..thanks for being here.

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  4. Mary6 March 2013 at 07:04

    I really like this poem. Honest. Thought-provoking. Ya, maybe there is something to lighting candles, and maybe something will rub off. It can't hurt is what I always figure. And, yes, she could be the goddess!

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    1. Nilanjana Bose6 March 2013 at 12:09

      Poetry here is rarely autobiographical, but this one is, kind of. She was a 70+ year old lady, she should have been home being taken care of by her family/community/state, but she was selling candles in the rain. Definitely a goddess imho. Thank you for reading.

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  5. TCPC6 March 2013 at 11:54

    wonderful..sometimes u need no reason to love or admire, t say the least..reminds of kashmir ki kali...:)

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    1. Nilanjana Bose9 March 2013 at 10:52

      That's certainly true...loved the possible connection to Kashmir ki Kali (haven't watched it tho!) thanks for reading :)

      Delete
  6. Grace6 March 2013 at 19:24

    I like the ritual and meaning of lighting up the candles ~ I never understood its significance, until I had to light up a candle to bless my new home and during Christmas ~ I specially like the last two lines, there's wisdom in that faith ~

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    1. Nilanjana Bose9 March 2013 at 10:53

      Something very evocative about a flame..thanks for reading.

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  7. Victoria6 March 2013 at 23:46

    Such a wonderful expression of a blend of doubt and oh-so-subtle hope. I love what you did with this.

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  8. Stan Ski7 March 2013 at 00:37

    Whatever the motive, the act of doing it must count for something...

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    1. Nilanjana Bose9 March 2013 at 10:55

      Certainly hope so...with most motives..thanks.

      Delete
  9. joanna8 March 2013 at 23:24

    this is just an awesome sentiment. i can absolutely relate. nice use of rhyme, too.

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