Chinese Sky Lanterns

Feb. 17 Chinese lanterns prompt

Rising into the night sky
Oiled white rice paper
Glowing golden
Floats up, as released.
A tiny flame burns bright
Propelling the bambooed frame
Out into the cosmos.
With it, my hopes and dreams
And a laundry list of expectations
For myself and my loved ones.
I watch transfixed
As it seems to glide
Into the inky blackness
On a voyage of discovery.
There is no turning back,
No returning to the starting point;
Only forward momentum
Carries it forth
Into the sea of frosted points,
Glowing embers,
Casting no shadows.
Hope grows
As we watch
And wait to see
What the new year holds
For each of us.

Lines = 26.

Prompt for: Feb 17 (Fyn/Ren) ▶︎

Subject or Theme: Inspired by Chinese lanterns: are you the light for someone or is someone the light for you? Write about one, the other, or both.
Word(s) to Include: discover, laundry (or any derivatives of these words)
Forbidden Word(s): light, inspire, guide (or any derivatives of these words)
Additional Parameters: Minimum 16 lines.
Remember, do not use forbidden words ANYWHERE, including title or the brief description.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNtwlBbBdb4
In China and Taiwan, sky lanterns are traditionally made from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame. The source of hot air may be a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material.