Old Flames
Where do flames go, after they die?
They, who glowed to brightened our day,
Just disappear with scant ‘good-bye’—
Where do they go when they go away?
Is there a divide they must traverse?
Lingering briefly as a wisp of white
To swirl and twist and then disperse,
Like ghosts that slip into the night.
Where do flames go when they go out?
They were so real, with warmth and grace,
It’s hard to think they are not about,
They must live on in some other place.
But our Heaven wont suit them well—
Perhaps old flames just collect in Hell.
.
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© J Cosmo Newbery 2014
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Instead of a 'higher place', they go to a 'fire place'. Maybe.
ReplyDeletePerhaps. And, like a heaven without animals, I don't know that I would be interested in one without a flickering fire to dream beside...
ReplyDeleteOh, but Light is welcome in "Heaven." Old flames or new. "You can trust me on that," said the Bear.
ReplyDeletePeace and joy, Cosmo.
A sad thought that the Flames only will only gather in hell.. A lovely sonnet.. And a great metaphor.
ReplyDeletea cute and fun piece :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm the ending is the greatest twist!!!
ReplyDeleteProbably where birds go when they die. Other than road kill...I've never seen a bird drop dead out of the sky! Where do birds go to die?
ReplyDeleteThe title of the poem affected my thoughts on this and really old flames are best gone for ever so the "what ifs" come to mind and cause a disaster!
ReplyDeleteinteresting last thought! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the dual meaning of old "flames"
ReplyDeleteThis is powerful and has so many depths. Very thought provoking.
ReplyDeletethey lie buried in heart..nice word play....
ReplyDeletethis one has me thinking . . . old flames in more ways than one.
ReplyDeleteOh, no wonder those flames of hell burn so brightly and strongly!!
ReplyDeleteI hope they do not all burn in hell!
ReplyDeletemagical wonders.
ReplyDeletesimply image and smile,
I love how you wrapped this one up, J Cosmo. Pondering past the simple flame and into darker places.
ReplyDeletehahaha
ReplyDeleteIf there is such a place ...
LOL, had to smile at them being consigned to hell. If only in our dreams, smiles.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how this evolved and how it's been received. It started with the simple question in my mind "where do flames go where they die?" The answer had to be Hell. But it was also an askance view of the general 'life after death' dream people have, this believe that things have to continue on after death. In the end I added the word 'old' and the the meaning veered sideways; I didn't mind that, it added complexity but most people seem to have taken that as the original intent. Wrong in that regard.
ReplyDeleteFootnote: There are no old flames I'd consign to Hell.
Do your old flames real your blog?
DeleteOh, not you too! No, I don't think they even know about it.
DeleteHaha good on! Actually, very good!
ReplyDeleteZQ
Chuckles! Yes perhaps so in Hell. Truly with the saying 'may they burn in hell' and none would say 'in heaven!' Witty thoughts Cosmo!
ReplyDeleteHank
Very good, the end is so interesting in the concept.
ReplyDeleteI love how you build the magnificence of old flames only to end up burning in hell. i think it's poetic justice, lol.
ReplyDelete