Candles

Candles

refrain:
You, were my hope
Your hope was mine
Candles are low
For the last time
I don't want to look; when I do it saddens me
It saddens me so when I recall their first light
I don't want to turn back to then, for then I'll see
How quickly they lengthen in line and they multiply

(refrain)

Once I made a big cake for my father so long ago
For his 50th birthday one year, wouldn't you know
Like Cassandra, I read him a chilling prophecy
I read him a poem, it was 'Candles' and now I grieve

spoken:
[Days of our future stand before us
Like a row of little lighted candles
Golden, warm and lively little candles
The days gone by remain behind us
A mournful line of burnt-out candles
The nearest ones are still smoking
Cold candles, melted, and bent]
(from "Candles" by Cavafy)

I don't want to look when I do it saddens me
It saddens me so when I recall their first light
I don't want to turn back to then, for then I'll see
How quickly they lengthen in line, and they multiply.

(refrain)