Until the candle was all burned up

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Well-known member
i lived on a block
like any other block

it was houses on rows
lights on corners

kids played out until about dark
until their candles were all burned up

dogs barked at birds and shadows

a normal place
regular

over a the last year or so
i'd followed a neighbor’s car to the store

i was not trying to follow the neighbor
apparently my schedule matched up with hers

her car was sluggish
all her turns were really wide

she bought her cigarettes in front of me
i looked in her eyes
i did not register
with her

she’d already “left”

there was not a flicker of light left
within her


she ate a bullet a few days later
nobody really knew her

i walked in the dark with my hounds
up over the hills and to the little market

talked with the folks there for a few minutes (they seemed glad when i walked through the doors with my dogs, so we never got thrown out).
i did not walk anywhere without my dogs

she killed herself

i felt terrible (i was her neighbor for over a decade) and knew nothing about her

i bought my fuel and a gigantic candle
walked out into the night with my hound dogs

we lit that candle up on the front steps of her house and i prayed as best as a “non praying” man and 2 dogs can

we said
we were sorry that we were not there when she could have talked to us, and then we told her to leave that dark old house
& walk out and into the light

i remember saying, “i hope it is better for you there, now,
than it was for you here, then”

and we walked away
with the candle burning on the doorstep

an hour or two later,
anya came home from work and remarked upon the candle

i said i set it out to help the dead lady leave the dark house
……………………..

a year or so later, i lost my hound dog
had to put him down

had to walk the old boy in to a friendly grey bearded man
(our vet)

we had to wait for a while

the old black dog scratched at the door (he wanted to leave that place).. i wanted to help him out
i couldn’t carry him out on my back
and with a spike in a vein
a deep breath
and a long sigh

i left all alone

i carried him out of there
in my inadequate human heart

his body on a blanket

i was in a daze

i fired up that old truck and drove
i felt good knowing that the old boy wasn’t hurting anymore
but i missed him

i ached for him


i came home and sobbed with my wife

i cried until the vessels in my eyes blew out
and felt as though i’d been laid open by a sword

we tried to comfort the old boy’s mate
but she didn’t understand all that had happened

things were different
that was all she could comprehend

and more than either of us wanted to

i knocked off and anya lit a candle

put it up on the chest of drawers when i went to bed
(so that the old boy could see the light of the candle
and come back home)

the candle went out (had a really short wick, and although anya tried to nurse its flame)
it went out just the same @10:30 pm

she came to bed a few hours later to join me…

we slept in the dark until anya sat up and said
“did you light that candle back up?”

i said “nope” (i had not)

we sat there in our bed and the candle flickered brightly. @ 1:30 am

anya was shocked and worried
a little freaked out

the flame was like a torch
it danced and lit up the dark corners
in the space we were in

i smiled and said,
“that is just the old boy letting us know he made it home”
“i can not believe it,” she said
“it doesn’t make any sense”

“that candle was out and cold
I checked to be sure”

“you do not have to believe in it for it to be so,”
i said

“it is!”

and we slept with the light flickering
until the candle was all burned up
 
Last edited:
You Brought tears back to my eyes too mate, you certenly are a gifted man.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
Wow Todd,

I'm as weepy as the rest after reading this. You certainly have a way with words. Amazing how you can bring out your own emotions as well as those of your readers. A true gift.
 
Todd, What a story. Anyone who has lost friends knows what you wrote is the truth. Alex is playing with my guys by now.
 
I'm having difficulty regaining my composure after reading that lovely poem.

I haven't read a poem that well put together in God knows how long; I'm used to 19th century stuff.

My philosophy (in the face of adversity) is that everything happens for a reason, and that we just have to have faith that it will all work out in the end. No matter what your belief system is.

Thank you

Anthony
 
Hello Todd
Thank you for sharing your stories. I always enjoy your writings. As I go to elk camp each September in hells canyon, Ore. I think of you and the story you wrote about grouse hunting there with Alex. Its one of my favorite places, and the story touch me so much. Thanks for being one of the many distant friends here at The duck boat page.

Gary March
 
Thank you, Todd, for sharing this story. You have such a beautiful/wonderful way of writing. It is most enjoyable.
This quote [font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]"there was not a flicker of light left within her"
[/font]will stay with me because it brought back memories of an old man back in the early 50's who did the same thing. He worked in a gas station where my buddy and I always bought our minnows. One morning he was there and then next he was gone.
Al
 
I had forgotten I had read this before - a benefit of getting older I guess.

Affected me the same way this time as it did the first time except I now have more candles to light.

Wow Todd.
 
A close contacts kid hung himself about a week ago.

Times are getting difficult for so many folks now.

We've got to keep an eye out for each other.
 
Good morning, Todd~


Wonderful words.


Having joined this site in 2013, I had not read them when first posted. Reading them today allowed me a second benefit - seeing the names - and some faces - of members I have not "seen" in years.


Thanks for sharing your talent - a real help to many, I am certain.


All the best,


SJS

 
Back
Top