The Paradox of Being

I am the candle that lights,
and the light that goes out

I am the infinity of the stars,
and the darkness of the night

I am love,
and I am the fear of love 

I am the breath of life,
and life’s last respire 

I am the summit of a mountain,
and the edge of the abyss 

I am the eyes of a child,
and the blindness of a blind man

I am righteous,
and I am the wrong-way sign 

I am made of earth and fire,
and water and air I am 

I am the rose,
and the hurt of the thorn 

I am the beginning,
and I am the end.

—Bernadete vdw, ‘25 
Image by Daniel Greenwood