which is to say
in the darkest of hours
there's a flickering,
an easily snuffed light.

You can lift it,
you can move it,
but you must
protect it.

A hope chest holds
soft elegance,
handstitched care 
for the body & the bed.

A hope candle can last
if you're careful & still.
Keep it close. 
Keep it dry.

Watch hope dance then stand
to reveal dangers, to ennoble
wide eyes. Windowed, mirrored, 
it even grows. 

Hope throws big shadows,
darkening what's behind.
So look ahead, look close.
And hold your breath. 

_{For this writing challenge, I rolled some metaphorical dice, which gave me the three words that are the title & inspiration here.}