A Candle in the Window

A Candle in the Window

By Jack Donohue December 2017

The holidays are a joyous time

A time to discard our inhibitions

To remember Christmas days of old

And to rekindle old holiday traditions

One hundred years or more ago

A fireplace was the center of family life

Everyone would gather close to it

The children, a husband and his wife

To promote that feeling of family

A candle was lit from the fire

And placed prominently in the window

For passersby to see, and to admire

The candle evoked warmth of family

Extended from those inside the home

It was a beacon to a weary traveler

Who might be outside, cold, and all alone

The candle might mean many things

As its flickering flame was shown

It might be a sign of good news, or 

So loved ones could find their way back home

But a candle was most welcome

During Christmas and through the New Year

It brightened the entire neighborhood

And it was as welcome as holiday cheer

But fireplaces have disappeared from daily life

And candle greetings have had noticeable attrition

But this season, let’s place a candle in our window

And keep alive this wonderful holiday tradition

Published by Linda Vola who received this creative Holiday gift along with many more poems over many years of friendship, from her buddy Dahoney