Red Candle
Wen Yiduo

In tears of wax the candle melts
—Li Shangyin (813-858)

Red candle!
So red a candle!
Ah, poet,
Pour out your heart
And let us see which is brighter.

Red candle,
Who made your wax—gave you form?
Who lit the fire—kindled the soul?
Why must your wax burn away
Before you can give light?
Here is some mistake;
Some contradiction, strife!

Red candle,
There is no mistake;
Your light must come from “burning,”
This is Nature’s way.

Red candle,
Being made, burn!
Burn on and on
Till men’s dreams are destroyed by your flame,
Till men’s blood seethes in your flame;
And save their souls,
Break down their prison walls!

Red candle,
The day that your heart’s fire gives light
Your tears start flowing.

Red candle,
The craftsman who made you
Made you for burning.
Now that you are burning,
Why shed bitter tears?
Ah, I can guess,
The cruel wind has meddled with your light,
When your flame wavers
You shed tears of anguish.

Red candle,
Weep! Weep on!
Let your wealth of wax
Flow, unstinted, out to men,
To grow flowers of comfort,
To bear fruit of joy.

Red candle,
With each tear shed you lose heart,
Disheartenment and tears are your fruit,
The creation of life you cause.

Red candle,
Never mind the harvest—till the soil!