I have lost count the times I blew out my own candle,

to hide in the dark, to keep myself unseen.

But I did not know there were such lovely souls,

the seekers,

who found people like me

And let us be without criticizing.

Kindly,

Lovingly,

Softly they lit the way out,

Not a light to blinding nor a noise to frightening,

Allowing us time and space to

Re-emerge at our own pace,

In our own time.

I am ever grateful.