LANTERNS OF THE HEART

The lantern encases the light within
Translucent sides protecting
Its source of light from without
Thus shielding the inner lamp
The source of light
From external elements
That otherwise may extinguish
The flame of warmth and light.

Used frequently in times gone by
As signals of welcome or danger alike
Shedding light in the darkness of night
Or as strong beacons
Ships from shore did warn
While their use on happy occasion
Especially in the Orient, also is well known.

That said, what about the lantern in your heart,
How bright the light
How strong the signal
How well protected, insulated from external stimuli
Is the lamp in your lantern encased in your heart
Have you found the need to shield it
From the many vagaries of life
Has it been buffeted by gale emotional winds
Dimmed, enfeebled almost extinguished
By experiencing unsavory, adverse conditions
Perhaps shocking, life threatening
Of major proportions and upheaval
Is that why you shut down your beacon
To avert the unavoidable
Turn away any future emotional threats
Thus retaining the remainder
Of the flame, the light
The warmth of the lamp
In the lantern of your heart.

Herbert Holzbauer
© April 2001

Midi: "Forbidden Love"
Art: "Penthesilia" 1995
Artist: Angela Basta