Noveling

I see bright spirits in the night,
And sometimes one with flame so white
I stare at it for days and days,
And let it swallow all my gaze,
'Til I forget their wily ways
And think that I might catch the light.

So I reach out and grab that sprite,
And though I hold it not too tight,
The light burns out, while distantly
Another cries, 'Catch me!  Catch me!'
And lights up like a Christmas tree,
So there I turn, and oh! it's bright.

I run to it, and it takes flight,
While other spirits creep in sight
But, if I hold them, cease to burn
While others call and make me turn,
And so I chase them, and I yearn
To capture all, and do it right.

Yet all the while I know I might
Coax up one flame to reignite,
And nurture it and make it glow,
Not all it was, perhaps, although
It must be said, you never know
Until you are committed, quite.

© A.R. Collins, 2018