Men are simple creatures lost in the darkness

And Women are the light that disrupts that darkness

Some are Fireflies their light soft and momentary

Only illuminating the darkness in brief flashes

But those moments are enough for some to stay with the Firefly

And bask in the moments of illumination

Some are the Stars that fill the night sky, bright and distant

Pulling our eyes up into the beyond

Playing on our dreams and fantasies

But impossible to attain and some lose themselves in dreaming

Some are Lanterns, constant, strong, reliable

Rarely a flicker, rarely a waver

Homes, businesses, worlds can be built around them

Some set their souls beside them and use the Lantern’s light as their own strength

Some are the Flame, blazing in the darkness with beauty and warmth

Drawing those in the darkness towards them

Mesmerizing and hypnotizing some lose themselves staring into the Flame

The Flame can be a source of creativity and life, galvanizing brittle iron into hard steel

The Flame can also burn to ash all of creation

Some are the moth drawn to the Flame unable to look away even to their utter destruction

Some stand back enjoy the warmth but never approach

And some tend the Flame trying to maintain the balance of destruction and warmth

Tending the Flame means getting burned

Tending the Flame means turning away from the Flame when it flares up too bright

Tending the Flame can create peace and protection

Tending the Flame is joy and pain