Candlelight

new candle flickers
draughts entangle wisps of smoke
capturing shadows

old candle flares up
in a pool of molten wax
final performance

© Kim M. Russell, 2016

Image found on www.shutterstock.com

My response to Carpe Diem #1062 Candles

Today our prompt is candles and it’s taken from Jane’s “A Dictionary of Haiku” (the printed version). Chèvrefeuille has shared two haiku by Yosa Buson (1716-1784):

shokunohiwo shokuni utsusuya harunoyuu

one candle
gives its light to another –
spring evening

© Yosa Buson (Tr. Chèvrefeuille)

 teshokushite iro ushinaeru kigikukana

in the light from the candle held
their color lost–
yellow chrysanthemums

 © Yosa Buson (Tr. William R. Nelson)

As well as examples by Jane Reichhold:

lighting a candle
the moon slips away
in a smoky cloud

replacing the candle
the full moon comes
in the window

moonset
into the dawn burns
a candle

© Jane Reichhold