"Candles That Burn"

Last week, I ran across a book entitled "Candles That Burn," a compilation of poignant poetry by Aline Kilmer. One of her poems, "Remembrance" touched me in such a way that I decided to share it here today. Although the poem is a simple one, I think most of us who have ever revisited our childhood home, especially after being away for some time, have experienced feelings of both happiness and sadness. And in some way, each of us can identify with the sentiment expressed in this poem.

REMEMBRANCE
by Aline Kilmer

I went back to a place I knew

When I was very, very small;

The same old yellow roses grew

Against the same old wall.

Each thing I knew was in its place;

The well, the white stones by the road,

The box-hedge with its cobweb lace,

And a small spotted toad.

And yet the place seemed changed and still;

The house itself had shrunk, I know.

And then my eyes began to fill—

For I had always loved it so.