“Flameless Candle” by K. West

“Out, out brief candle!”
William Shakespeare, “Macbeth”, Act V, Scene 5

out out brief candle
burning at both ends
out of luck, out of pocket, out of time
out of it
it’s a flameless candle
its flicker periodicized
regular, steady, sober, responsible
predictable, safe
cozy but dispassionate
out out brief candle
with the touch of a button
light without warmth


K. West is an award-winning filmmaker and painter who is now waxing poetic.  Her poetry has been published  by Local Gems Press, miniMag Weekly, Death Wish Poetry Magazine, The Orpheum Collective, and  The Anti-Misogyny Club.  Later this year, she has two new poems, “Hack” and “The Rummage Sale”, coming out in Low Hanging Fruit.