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ecrivan
Member Elite

since 2001-12-10

Posts 3923
my own state

0 posted 2001-12-25 02:16 AM

The wick began when tallow ran
when man was keen on seeing a gleam;
on cave walls he would leave his trace
in steepled halls, he addressed his grace.

There was no shortage of animal fat
how this began, I am at a lack;
the vessel used was short and depressed
the light that effused was welcome and impressed.

But the fuel had to last longer into the night
without a wick, the hunter had no respite;
so Egyptians devised ones of linen cloth
dipped into tallow, the wick burned aloft.

Soon candles of tallow were shaped for a burn,
and the industry of man took inventive turns,
till today luminescence in candles, is measured
and man's creative essence will always be treasured.

Larry C

Member Patricius

since 2001-09-10

Posts 10286
United States

1 posted 2001-12-25 02:52 AM

ecrivan,
Thanks for the poetic history lesson.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

2 posted 2001-12-25 03:13 AM

smiling here---I love both the literal message and as a candle-happy, wick-trimming sort of soul, I also the metaphorical value.
Very interesting read--I thank you!

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-05

Posts 8296
Michigan

3 posted 2001-12-25 10:14 AM

Martin, you are doing such a great job at educating all of us...
This is a beautiful poem, informative and metaphorical at the same time.
Great job.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled" Gwendolyn Brooks

Irish Rose
Member Patricius

since 2000-04-06

Posts 10263

4 posted 2001-12-25 11:07 AM

I journeyed through this "cave" with you and thank God, there's no shortage of animal fat, I'm NO vegetarian!

Kathleen (Kay)
"When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass, and the sun drips honey."
Laurie Lee

ecrivan
Member Elite

since 2001-12-10

Posts 3923
my own state

5 posted 2001-12-25 12:33 PM

Well Kay,
neither am I short I think I eat too much heat

Serenity,
time to write about those lonely objects we take for granted, lol

Mdme Chipmunk,
I love this book on trivia I'm reading..will
tell you about it.

Larry,,

Just scratching my brain for something different for Xmas

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