Salt and Light

Pure white granules

settle safely to the bottom

of a shaker

unshaken

but what good is this sort of salt to food

without flavor

a candle

burns brilliant yellow

within the sanctuary of a basket

that covers it

but how does this sort of light

stop the river of shadows

flowing through the streets

like a tsunami of ghosts

that have washed in from the sea

will the fire of hope stay hidden

until the world drowns

in darkness

is the salt really pure

if it never does the work

it was created for