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By Me Submitted by gardenpoet Date: 2003 Sep 16 Comment on this Work [[2003.09.16.03.39.423]] |
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I've often wondered why candle flames falter, often die, or at the least rarely re-ignite to anything worthwhile. The wax was gone. Or almost so. Someone forgot it, someone neglected it. The wick itself, not so much the candle's soul as it is its spirit, had been twisted or cut short or simply smooshed. A waft of air -- exciting against the face but dangerous to a fervent but vulnerable strand of fire -- may puff it out in a sudden blow. More likely the air -- a breeze -- started softly, warranting no heed at the start. Then gradually building, subtly to be sure, and we (me?) found reasons to take no notice of it. We had other things to do. Or we simply didn't care; others didn't seem to. I really thought it unfair when air and breezes and recurring passing movements and pesky little disturbances of so many kinds all ganged up on the flame. So often, I could only watch. Someone else wanted to see what would happen. So why do flames falter, flicker, waver, hesitate, or simply put out streamlets of just-perceptible but pooey soot? More importantly, does another match create the same flame? |