Two poems - part one

This poem was written about the London bombings, on Thursday 7th July 2005. I don't think it needs much explaining, so I'll let it speak for itself.

The Altar Candles

Life can be stubbed out
like a candle on an altar.
But the altar has a life of it's own -
a constant flow,
a streaming queue of tapers
ready to replace the flames
with new ones.
There is always the sad wisps
from the quenched.
But there is always a match struck,
always a lighter flipped,
always a ready hand to
replace the lost.

And memory remains.
A swirling recall of lights
circling in the darkness,
living through what lingers.