A Thousand Candles

As I lay next to you at age 81 I imagine your life, what it could have become You stare at the ceiling as I hold your hand And speak to you lovingly, "Mom, I understand." I see you in Italy, Paris, France Painting for passers by, dancing your dance Am I just imagining in my mind and heart Would you live your dream if you had a new start? A-a-a-a-a-a-ah A-a-a-a-a-a-ah As your flame flickers and your wax runs low In the cells off my being your life's still aglow I must move toward the shadow of sorrow To unmask my joy and face tomorrow A-a-a-a-a-a-ah A-a-a-a-a-a-ah I'm but a fragment of your beaming life An ember lit from your passion and fire A thousand candles you could ignite Without ever dimming your light A thousand lifetimes one in the same Pass me the torch to carry your name A-a-a-a-a-a-ah A-a-a-a-a-a-ah