And Still The Lanterns Rise

A lantern in the sky
Does make one cry
Of relationships past
That wishes didn't quite make last

One by one they soar
Each a face I could recall
A shy smile, a hopeful eye
All loves I believed would never die

And still the lanterns rise

The lake is placid
Disturbed only by crickets
The willows hang nearby 
I think of a girl, a tear to cry

And still the lanterns rise

The moon the same
The stars to blame
Why can't they have aligned
For a destined life of hers and mine

And still the lanterns rise

She asked a question
A kind of submission
But I was too honorable to shame
Another man's vested courting game

And still the lanterns rise

How is she now
That sparkle, that smile
That gentle touch on the arm
That slipped away coz I was dumb

And still the lanterns rise

I can only muse
Would she have refused
If I had been a lion that roared
If I had been coveting like some rich bore

And still the lanterns rise

I see the fire
Don't lose the desire!
Follow the lantern's rise
For tomorrow's always a reprise 

And still the lanterns rise

- by TC Lai