as a metaphor for how short our human lives are,

us all being poor actors strutting and fretting.

But this one here

is a three-wick spiced cardamom candle

not something extruded from pig fat

or gathered from hives.

I won't be lighting a lamp

courtesy of some whale's song cut short

by hard men on three year voyages

out of Nantucket -

though I may catch the ferry there this summer

for a day of rubbing elbows with the tourist elite

none of whom smell like fish

or have salt plastered to their sun burned faces.

Indeed, human life is a bit longer

and a lot less cruel.

And the candles are plentiful

if you need one

to be reminded.

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