The lantern

On the darkest nights, when even the moon withholds its light, The Lantern becomes more than a simple object, it becomes a symbol of quiet strength. The lone flame refuses to be swallowed by the void around it, burning steadily against the encroaching black. This image speaks to those moments in life when we find ourselves alone, uncertain, and surrounded by heaviness. And yet, something within us, however small, continues to glow. That spark, like the lantern, may not light the entire path, but it offers just enough to take the next step forward.

The poem captures the quiet resilience of choosing to endure, especially when no one else is watching. It’s not bravado, not a blinding blaze meant to impress, it’s the steady, humble kind of courage that often goes unseen. To stand resolute in silence, without applause, without certainty, is a powerful kind of bravery. And like the lantern, those who do so shine in ways the world may not always notice, but in the dark, even the smallest light becomes a beacon.