You know how brave a little candle glows
When a tired heart is waiting in the dark,
And what a light of friendliness it throws
Upon the face of walls and chairs and stark
Old table edges peering through the gloom.
Emptiness, and a candle peoples it
With thoughts that stir the silence of a room
Like hearthside friends who murmur while they sit.
If you should send words kind as candh light—
Words faithful as a little shining flame—
I would not fear the length nor depth of night,
For they would burn the darkness when they came.