A candle on the mantel wafted scent
but sat too high for me to see the flame.
Aroma permeated air and lent
an herbal atmosphere I couldn’t name.
I love some folks who light and burn the same
so much their ceiling’s sooty from the wicks.
I went for vision and avoided stain;
I set the candle on my hearth’s red bricks.

(Huitain)