A Flame's Shadow

A Flame’s Shadow

Matthew Wiley

look into the darkness that awaits us
there is no edge for our fingers to find
it is the shape of our future, total and
not bright, not yet

the path given to us is settled like
a log stacked in fire, ashes at rest
our little lights shine in the quiet
memory of their integrity

leave your expectations on the pyre
smoke billowing black from black
it is the flame of our repentance
not penance, not payment

the border of the blaze’s radiance
greets us like a familiar shadow, calling
our name as a heavy bestowal of glory
undoing us, bringing us home

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Matthew Wiley
Theologian & Writer

Photography by Adrien Olichon