Flames (Photo credit: swamysk)
The brightest flames
Burn too quick
And are gone
The purest melodies
Barely last
For a song
The strongest heart
Beats its rhythm
Too brief
The greatest souls
Find that time
Is a thief
And in these moments
Of loss and of grief
There must be balance
A reason, belief
Nature is strange
Its dominion dismays
But some lives are so full
They are lived in a day
(c) Helen Valentina 2013 , All Rights Reserved
Inspired by the book ‘The Draft’ by Jemima Layzell, which I promoted via a reblog on this blog a few weeks ago and have just finished reading. An inspiring, uplifting and heartbreaking book. This poem is dedicated to Jemima and her family.
helenvalentina 
Very lovely. Love the way I get such a wonderful mental picture.
Thanks Briana!! 😉 🙂
Beautiful, Helen.
Thank you!! 🙂
life is too damn short….
It is indeed – Jemima’s book was remarkable, as was her life I believe. Of course I’ve never met her, but I felt I knew her from her words. A great loss to her family and to the world.
bursts
strength of brevity
~
once told
a secret
~
always
leave them wanting
more
Thank you, a wonderful postscript to the tribute. 🙂
Love love the last lines. Fantastic =)
Thanks so much!! 🙂 🙂
marvelously done 🙂
Thank you so much!! 🙂
I wish I could give more than one ‘like’! Pure, elegant, meaningful. It’s quietly moving. I like the not-too-intrusive rhyme, too 🙂
Thank you, that is so kind of you! 🙂 🙂
Once again, a very lovely poem, Helen:)
Thanks, much appreciated!! 🙂 🙂
Beautiful! Really enjoyed reading this
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Very touching. You’re such a beautiful poet, Helen.
Than you, that is so kind! 🙂
That should say Thank you..not than you… 🙂
This is beautiful, bright bouncing rhythm with a deep, moving message. One of my faves of yours thus far:-)
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Totally awesome!
Thanks so much!! 🙂 🙂
“The greatest souls
Find that time
Is a thief”
I LOVE THIS!
Amazing.
Thank you so much! 🙂 🙂
I really enjoyed this poem. Very nicely rhymed and written! This was a touching tribute.
Thank you very much!! 🙂 🙂
Beautiful
Thank you!!! 🙂 🙂
I want to sing this one around a campfire! ❤
Feel free, that is so kind!! 🙂 🙂
Beautiful!
Thank you!! 🙂 🙂