Lights of Innocence, by Edilson Afonso Ferreira

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, by John Singer Sargent (USA) 1886

Lights Of Innocence
  
Two girls lighting Japanese lanterns,
early evening in an England’s garden,
late nineteenth century. 
Preventing the dark night, arranging 
for so happy a party. 
The painter has had no opportunity to speak, 
but now we know, 
like old Greek priestesses, 
in white gowns, 
also offering prayers on glowing tapers,
relieving unsure forthcoming days.
The purity they have lightened that night
persists until our present days and nights.
 
Edilson Afonso Ferreira 

This poem first appeared in The Provo Canyon Review.

Mr. Ferreira, 76 years, is a Brazilian poet who writes in English rather than in Portuguese. Widely published in international journals in print and online, he began writing at age 67, after retiring as a bank employee. Nominated for The Pushcart Prize 2017, his first poetry collection, Lonely Sailor, One Hundred Poems, was launched in London in November of 2018.  He is always updating his works at www.edilsonmeloferreira.com.