Flame

'Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared’. This quote, attributed to Gautama Buddha, was the inspiration for my poem, Flame. Ben and I were in the process of writing a series of Christmas carols and I had in my mind, an image of candles being lit and what such an action may represent. My first attempt was a truly lamentable set of verses entitled The Candle Lit At Christmas which both Ben and I both agreed was best forgotten. Looking for a guide I found this quote and suddenly the poem was there before me and within a few hours this song had been born. I think this is the speediest creation that Ben and I have ever achieved and it is also one of our absolute favourites. Flame has since become immensely popular and has been sung around the world - we hope it continues to spread its message of joy and enlightenment.

A flame
Dispels the dark
Its delicate light repels the shadows 

A flame alone
Brings within its flicker
A welcoming warmth 

A single flame
That shares its light
Is but strengthened by this splitting in two 

And as each flame
Begets another
Its life and light is multiplied
To become unending
Forever burning
A beacon that both beckons and guides 

So to light the world

© Garth Bardsley