"A Portrait of Myself"

                                                                                                In the dark,
                                                                                                            one light cries,
                                                                                                to prove its worth,
                                                                                                in lasting moments of the night.
                                                                                                Powered by some will,
                                                                                                            keeping up bright,
                                                                                                            flickering often,
                                                                                                 when it wants to die.

                                                                                                Early night brights,
                                                                                                that faded long past,
                                                                                                             shone for required duties,
                                                                                                                          then expired fast.
                                                                                                             But this one light,
                                                                                                with its soft golden hue,
                                                                                                              Kept burning an oil,
                                                                                                               the others never knew.

                                                                                                Solo in the dark.
                                                                                                It has a call.

                                                                                                                                                        Written December 1983