He says, “I’ve never been 80 before.”
The now sedimentary burn table
Greets and shares its redolent singularity
The first wax spilt as naturally as sap
Poured as Havens sang Freedom
We exchanged receipts for two candles
The Candle Maker clasped our hands
Lowered his head and reefed his eyes
These cylindrical stumps with wick
Caused us to stop, awaken, and reflect
Gifting us an ember of humanity
- By Derek Pedersen
A musician in Boulder, CO, Pedersen grew up in Vernon, NJ. He and his wife were visiting home last winter and stopped in his favorite shop in Sugar Loaf, the Candle Shop, run by Peter Lendved since the 60s. “The shop’s candles and aroma have been so entwined in my life and I felt strongly I had to put a piece together,” said Pedersen.