What if dying
is like a candle going out?
Some are snuffed out
carelessly or by design
while the taper is still long.
Others burn down
their whole length brightly
but dimming in the end,
wicks drowned in their own wax.
But in every case
when the flame goes out,
a wisp of smoke
lingers and curls upwards.
Some of us hope
to be kindled
and burn again
forever.