What makes the candle sputter?

after Henry Rago

The cold wind outside the window

a lack of wax, a draft, a catch —

the boat has been rocked more than once

age, illness, death

the ghost of my father passes his fingers over the wick

broken handrail, a fingernail

bitten to the quick

time... slipping away

what step is a step too far?

create calm among the air

it is late

and I am tired

and the wind still blows