Toward the Light

As I lean toward the light

A very small light

From a very small candle

I found in the trash

I can see enough

To finish this assignment

Soon

As I lean toward the light

This dwindling light

From this dwindling candle

My last candle

I feel like the light

Struggling to become more than

It is

As I lean toward this light

I add slivers of wax

Collected from my last light

To keep seeing this light

As my

Resuscitated candle

Keeps seeing me

I want to cast

My skills on the world

Not just my shadow on the wall

I want to be

What others believe I can

Not just the failure

They believe I will become

As I lean into this light

My only friend protecting me from

The darkness in both

This room and my life

I say a small prayer

That I may lean toward it again

Tomorrow