The Morning After the Fourth

Do you think if the Roman Candle knew that come Monday morning it would be nothing more than an empty memory left on a West Hollywood sidewalk it would still - as darkness fell on July 4th -- say strike the match and watch me dazzle the world?

I'm hoping that it would.

My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
It gives a lovely light.

Edna St. Vincent Millay -  "A Few Figs from Thistles", 1920
 US poet (1892 - 1950)

Not that I'm a fan of burning candles at both ends.  On the other hand, neither am I a fan of keeping candles Roman or otherwise neatly packed away in drawers waiting for just the right and possibly the safe time to strike the match.