Fleeting Light

Carolyn Odom Burleson

Fleeting LightYou came - and stayed but a little while

You offered nothing but a smile In that brief time a ray of light Served to brighten up my life

Then suddenly the light went dim And we had no more time to spend

As lights do come and lights do go And we get tossed to and fro

On the sea of life I remind myself that all experiences are

A part of growing, learning and developing

And so I grow, and life goes on Caring not if it does right or wrong

Fleeting Light

You came and stayed but a little while You offered nothing but a smile

But I quite enjoyed your brief stay And hope we meet again some day.

Fleeting Light

Fleeting Light

• Type of Poem

1

Lyrical Elegy: A sad mournful poem of lament and praise for someone who has died.

• Style of Verse

Rhyming

anapest (~~/ )

iamb ( ~/) spondee (//)

dactyl ( /~~) trochee ( /~ )

You came and stayed but a little while… (~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ) = iamb

You offered nothing but a smile … (~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ) = iamb

But I quite enjoyed your brief stay … (~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ) = iamb

And hope we meet again some day. … (~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ) = iamb

Fleeting Light

Fleeting Light• ThemeDr. Burleson clearly describes the short life of a small child who was not on this earth long. This is evident by the line “you came and stayed but a little while”. One is to believe it is a very young or helpless child, because “you offered nothing but a smile”, as well as, “I quite enjoyed your brief stay”, depicts the lack of memories or a long relationship. Although it is evident the author is saddened by the loss, it is also true that she feels blessed for the time she was able to spend with the child. Additionally, she learns and grows from the experience -- and most importantly accepts the situation: “I remind myself that all experiences are A part of growing, learning and developing, And so I grow, and life goes on…”

Fleeting Light• Symbolism

Life and death are represented by the “ray of light” (life), that suddenly went “dim” (death).

“…In that brief time a ray of light Served to brighten up my life Then suddenly the light went dim And we had no more time to spend…”

And again, when comparing lives to “lights”

“…As lights do come And lights do go, …

Fleeting Light• Imagery

The author uses a metaphor to compare the ‘wave of emotion’ that we experience with a boat that is being tossed on the ocean (in the sea of life).

“…As lights do come and lights do go And we get tossed to and fro On the sea of life …”

And again, when comparing lives to “lights”

“… Then suddenly the light went dim …”

Fleeting Light• Relationship of Title to Poem

The definition of FLEETING is described by Dictionary.com as:

“passing swiftly; vanishing quickly; transient; transitory: fleeting beauty; a fleeting glance.”

As discussed earlier, the Poem is speaking of a Life (represented in the Poem by “Light”) that does not last long on this earth (“fleeting”). The Life passes swiftly and quickly, and at a glance.

Therefore, this is a perfect name for the theme, symbolism, and imagery utilized.

Fleeting Light• Meaning of Poem

Having experienced the same loss as described by the author, it is easy to relate to the true meaning of what she has so brilliantly expressed. Our family lost a 5-month old last year.

Dr. Burleson describes the loss of a young child, and the mourning of that loss. She then quickly points out that while the child was on this Earth, it was a true blessing and a “ray of light”. After the mourning, she pulls herself together and reminds herself that life is going to throw us curves and waves that we must deal with. We don’t know why, but it’s a way of life and we should learn from it, and not question it. We should be thankful for the time we did have with the child, and remember we will see them in heaven.

About the Poet• Is better known by her students as: “Dr. B”• Taught English and ESL for 30 years• Taught from the East Coast to the West

Coast• Utilized technology to revitalize her lessons• Offers Professional Development workshops

to educators in integrating technology into standards-based curriculum since 1986

• Dr. B.  retired in 2005• Served teachers in Los Angeles Unified

School District  and Los Angeles County.

Carolyn O. Burleson

Educator since 1965

"I'm getting old, but not obsolete!"

Rylan

ByKristan Gamel

Rylan

She’s my brand new little daughter, So delightful, sweet and smart.With a coo, she has me smiling, With a laugh, she owns my heart.

It’s the time for hugs and kisses, Reassurance when she cries.It’s the time for making moments, Full of love and lullabies.

Presented by: Kristan Gamel

Date: 9/28/09 Class: ECE 3602

Bibliography:

About the Author. Carolyn O Burleson, 2001. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. <http://drb.lifestreamcenter.net/author.htm>.

Dictionary.com. 2009. Dictionary. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fleeting>.

Digital image. For the Death of a Child. David Turner, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. <http://davidmturner.org/images/milky-way-candle.gif>.

Types of Poetry. Carolyn O Burleson, 2001. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. <http://drb.lifestreamcenter.net/Lessons/Poetry/index.htm>.