burn slowly

two bayberry tapers
half-wrapped in white tissue
lie atop the dresser
among the brown glass bottles
the mississippi stonewood
and the rock from orphan girl mine
i’d like to get brass candlesticks
and light them on the 31st
to bring in the new year brightly
the way my pilgrim grandmothers did
where did you come from
once upon another lifetime?
if you were here with me
on the old year’s last night
i’d like to ask you everything …
they say bayberry candles burn slowly