If someone passes you a wavering candle flame in the darkness, remember
not to hoard it, hiding the warmth of the flames
greedily to your chest where no one can see it.
As foolish as it may seem, you must pass on this lambent flame to others,
others who will in turn do the same, so somewhere,
someone whom you will likely never see or meet,
a frail figure huddled shivering in the darkness, forgotten, alone
will awaken from their nightmares into the flame of hope. It is this simple act
of giving away what was never meant to be kept, you free
yourself—and that flame ignites other flames,
driving back the darkness one brilliant ray of love at a time.