Candles on the Path

i fall back
just as i feel i am moving forward
make new vows
and a challenge spits me in the face
the light shines bright
and storm comes in from nowhere
raining down upon the ground
and i want to stomp my feet
crawl back into the cave
hide away once again
feel that i have failed
yet one more time
the shadows come crawling out
haunting
dancing in the light
making faces and gestures
coming at you strong
i want to run back
but each time i do they get to rest
and strengthen themselves
like an incomplete dose of antibiotics
can i shine the light
make them visible
keep the light shining on
burn them away
watch them contort and scream aloud
as they burn off
watch calming
letting them go
not pouring water to douse the fire
letting it shine light through