Click here to read an earlier Riehlife post relating to Dempsey's writing process for "Two Candles."

Ernest Dempsey uses the defining image of light as the threading metaphor through his collection of 74 selected poems contained in 84 pages. Light as an archtypal image is the perfect connecting theme as Dempsey's mind roams classic philosophic territory of good and evil, the state of society through consumption and labeling others, the nature of art and the career of the artist, surfaces and what is not so easily seen. In one so young, it is all the more striking to find such profound exploration and depth in this slim volume published by My Lucky Guitar Press in Australia. The book can be purchased here http://www.lulu.com/content/2464047 ($14.92). Dempsey's previous books of poetry and short stories has been published by Work Audience (www.worldaudience.org).

While formally written in unrhymedverse, still there is something about the somberness of this search for moral principles that reminds me of Victoria poets such as Lord AlfredTennyson, AnneBronte, Rudyard Kipling, and Thomas Hardy writing in the 19th century. Bringing these themes into 21st century views is an interesting task.

The title "Two Candles" came out of a writing practice Dempsey began in last winter. Ernest say, " I had a few candles in my room to light the place in case of a load-shading episode. One night, I just felt like writing a poem and doing so in candle light. So I switched off the electric bulb and let my creative flow along with my pen on paper in the aura generated by candle light."

Thus started a writing habit that lasted for a couple of months. Ermest switching off the light, lit two candles and wrote a poem or sometimes two poems each night.

Dempsy discovered that not only did two candles provide more light, but somehow seemed more beautiful and soothing than one, providing comfort in his solitude. Symbolically, Dempsey believes the second candle came to represent, his brother Shais, "my second self, my half being," whom the book is dedicated to.

My writing pal Ernest Dempsey is also known fondly on Riehlife as "our man in Pakistan"---you can find many blogposts about his work on Riehlife under "Read On" and read his poems under the "Writing Matters" archive categories. I asked him to tell us the story behind the creation of his new book TWO CANDLES. I wondered how he found the connection to My Lucky Guitar Press.

Ernest says: "I have been publishing my short fiction in Skive quarterly magazine off and on. Mathew Ward, editor of Skive mag, started his own press 'My Lucky Guitar Press' and was open to book submissions. So I sent him Two Candles. He liked it and agreed to get it published. That's how Two Candles was born."

I love the writing tip that emerges from and links to the title of Ernest's new book. Just think...you can start a writing practice in any circumstance. Ernest wrote in turbulent times and found writing poetry a way to center his soul and find calm, strength, and peace. ---JGR
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Ernest Dempsey (looking quite ernest!)

THE STORY BEHIND "TWO CANDLES"
by Ernest Dempsey

The summer heat is building up here and it’s about 40 C in Peshawar, Pakistan. Still I feel so cool! Reason? Well, my second poetry book Two Candles is here and I am all joy! It is a collection of 74 poems, published by My Lucky Guitar Press (Australia).

LIGHTING TWO CANDLES

The title ‘Two Candles’ has quite a story behind its origin. Some months ago, in winter, I had a few candles in my room to light the place in case of a load-shading episode. One night, I just felt like writing a poem and doing so in candle light.

So I switched off the electric bulb and let my creative flow along with my pen on paper in the aura generated by candle light.

TIP FOR WRITING PRACTICE...ESTABLISH RITUAL AND ROUTINE

Thus started a writing habit that lasted for a couple of months. I got used to switching off the light, lighting two candles (instead of one) and write a poem or sometimes two poems daily at night in my hostel room.

SIGNIFICANCE OF TWO CANDLES?

Why two candles? Primarily because two candles gave more light and somehow they looked more beautiful and soothing than one. I suppose that by making this choice of lighting two candles instead of one was, unconsciously, finding my way of countering my solitude and loneliness.

However, it never occurred to me who this second candle potentially represents. I never consciously thought of it until last night. And it is of course no one else but my brother Shais who is my second self, my half being. And then I wrote to Matt this morning to include a dedication page in the book, dedicating this collection of poetry to Shais. That is the story behind Two Candles.

Click here or on any of the red text live links to read more about Two Candles.

Ernest Dempsey, A Man of Letters

Ernest says:
I was amazed to see this new form and tried out a poem which captures the essence of my new poetry book Two Candles (coming out 1st June in Australia).

You'll be hearing more about Ernest' new book later in June. Now, his poem!---JGR

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THE LIGHT FROM TWO CANDLES

When you place two candles side by side
The room is brighter and hope abounds
Shadows of uncertainty leave silently
Now there is another soothing presence
Enjoy the new light and new hope in your life

Enjoy the new light and new hope in your life
Now there is another soothing presence
Shadows of uncertainty leave silently
The room is brighter and hope abounds
When you place two candles side by side