City Chick Magazine

City Chick's very own Book Reviewer, Ernest Dempsey, has just published his second book titled "Two Candles".

Description:

In darkness, the light of a candle is more than an aid to reading; it is a message of hope, a silent assurance that darkness does not rule our existence and there is more to brighten our being than a single source of light. However, when you light up two candles instead of one to help your eyes see better, you are creating greater assurance. Not only is there more light to illumine the place but the solitude of a solitary candle no more translates into your lonely being. The second candle signifies a second existence – whether a part of your inner self or some other special person in your life – whose presence makes your life more meaningful and more precious. Many of us are not conscious to the presence of this second candle until we light two candles instead of one. My 'Two Candles' are here.

THE STORY BEHIND "TWO CANDLES"
by Ernest Dempsey

The summer heat is building up here and it's about 40 C in Peshawar, Pakistan. Still I feel so cool! Reason? Well, my second poetry book 'Two Candles' is here and I am all joy! It is a collection of 74 poems, published by My Lucky Guitar Press (Australia).

LIGHTING TWO CANDLES

The title 'Two Candles' has quite a story behind its origin. Some months ago, in winter, I had a few candles in my room to light the place in case of a load-shading episode. One night, I just felt like writing a poem and doing so in candle light.

So I switched off the electric bulb and let my creative flow along with my pen on paper in the aura generated by candle light.

TIP FOR WRITING PRACTICE…ESTABLISH RITUAL AND ROUTINE

Thus started a writing habit that lasted for a couple of months. I got used to switching off the light, lighting two candles (instead of one) and write a poem or sometimes two poems daily at night in my hostel room.

SIGNIFICANCE OF TWO CANDLES?

Why two candles? Primarily because two candles gave more light and somehow they looked more beautiful and soothing than one. I suppose that by making this choice of lighting two candles instead of one was, unconsciously, finding my way of countering my solitude and loneliness.

However, it never occurred to me who this second candle potentially represents. I never consciously thought of it until last night. And it is of course no one else but my brother Shais who is my second self, my half being. And then I wrote to Matt this morning to include a dedication page in the book, dedicating this collection of poetry to Shais. That is the story behind 'Two Candles'.

Two Candles can be purchased here... www.lulu.com/content/2464047

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