Tom Paine, Dec 31st 1785

A taper illumines the head

of the man bowed over the table,

scribbling and smiling as ever,

claiming that smoke descended,

through his new-fangled candle

which lit his flickering words

and fumed as he mused,.

None to their own shame

could hold a candle to his lines.

They knew not his generous heart

smoked with the world’s clear light.

They cursed him with bell and book

fearing he raised spirits

on Candlemas Day

©Terry Hodgson2020