Lights

The candle flares and flickers;
the bright sun wheels and sets;
the torchlight leaps and shivers;
the coals bank, glowing red:
These dying flames and living
are shadows swiftly sped,
for Christ our light is risen
and death itself is dead.

And all these lights had promised
though fading from our view,
each burning match and star spark
said morning comes anew.
These hopes that shone in darkness
are hopes no more, are true,
for Christ our death has conquered
and shines out of the tomb.

Now day will have no ending
and night is luminous.
All lights that light foretelling
are no less glorious:
They shine out and we bless them
for still reminding us
that Christ, alive forever,
is shining in our dust.

Taper candles in a church. By Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52308084