10 Candles
1
Behind a flaming coconut cake
Crowned in rainbow candles
Your eyes are fixed on her
2
This green sprout of a girl
Barely broken through the crust
Of our former earth
3
We thought we were gardeners
Admired our first attempt
That loud laughing pansy in the yard
4
What kind of plant grows feather-soft
Around an iron core?
Wears her bruised leaves as armor?
5
Are you like me,
too baffled by this verdant life
To notice the years burning down?
6
Has she yet decided she can
Learn to read or skate or ride a bike?
All feats hopeless before she wills them
7
Has she yet declared herself
A plant-eater among
Our table of carnivores?
8
In a year she will watch you
Fill your lungs with fire and
Light the wick of a whole new life
9
But now you lean together
Close your eyes and join your breath
Against these little flames
10
The smoke rises like a prayer
Beautiful!