Candles can stand for days, as in Cavafy’s poem, years, as on birthday cakes, and the brevity and fragility of life. Immediately the candle is lit it begins to shrink, and a stray wind or a malignant breath can snuff it out. While it burns it can cast a beautiful light. “Better to light a candle than live in darkness,”  but once burnt out it’s gone completely.

Candles can be made with no fragrance, just ask me.