Judy Barrat
Judy Barrat began writing poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction, as a young girl, hoping to create pictures with words, the way her grandfather did with paint on canvas. Currently, she shares her work at open readings and venues around Los Angeles. Her work has been published in multiple magazines, anthologies. and online journals, such as World Enough Writers, Quill & Parchment, Al-Khemia Poetica, Village Poets Anthology, Altadena Literary Review, California Quarterly, and Spectrum magazine. Judy often combines her writing with a musical background of jazz and blues, and to date has presented six lavishly praised, hour-long shows at the Gardenia Supper Club in Hollywood with musical accompaniment. She enjoys performing at open readings, especially with musicians and singers weaving their magic around her words. Her book of short stories, The Oak Tree Diaries and Other Stories, was published last year, and her (very large) collection of poetry and prose, While the Candle Burns, has just recently been published and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms. Aside from her writing, Judy is an avid music fan, especially jazz, and has written online reviews of many of the artists she has been fortunate to see and hear.
Judy Barrat began writing poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction, as a young girl, hoping to create pictures with words, the way her grandfather did with paint on canvas. Currently, she shares her work at open readings and venues around Los Angeles. Her work has been published in multiple magazines, anthologies. and online journals, such as World Enough Writers, Quill & Parchment, Al-Khemia Poetica, Village Poets Anthology, Altadena Literary Review, California Quarterly, and Spectrum magazine. Judy often combines her writing with a musical background of jazz and blues, and to date has presented six lavishly praised, hour-long shows at the Gardenia Supper Club in Hollywood with musical accompaniment. She enjoys performing at open readings, especially with musicians and singers weaving their magic around her words. Her book of short stories, The Oak Tree Diaries and Other Stories, was published last year, and her (very large) collection of poetry and prose, While the Candle Burns, has just recently been published and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms. Aside from her writing, Judy is an avid music fan, especially jazz, and has written online reviews of many of the artists she has been fortunate to see and hear.
While the Candle Burns
In the dark
the light of a single candle
no matter how small
can be precious and magical
When flame is put to wick
on a simple stick of wax
the shadows cast
as it dances in the stillness
are a reminder
of the elusive ephemeral
nature of all existence
While the candle burns
we dream our lives
and hopefully live our dreams
as it casts its shadow
on whatever walls surround
And we dance like the flame
as the winds of time direct
in the dark but also in the light
And we write our own stories
the happy the sad the good the bad
the magical the fantastical
and we fill them with words
and colors directly from our hearts
All this we do—
while the candle burns
In the dark
the light of a single candle
no matter how small
can be precious and magical
When flame is put to wick
on a simple stick of wax
the shadows cast
as it dances in the stillness
are a reminder
of the elusive ephemeral
nature of all existence
While the candle burns
we dream our lives
and hopefully live our dreams
as it casts its shadow
on whatever walls surround
And we dance like the flame
as the winds of time direct
in the dark but also in the light
And we write our own stories
the happy the sad the good the bad
the magical the fantastical
and we fill them with words
and colors directly from our hearts
All this we do—
while the candle burns
© 2026 Judy Barrat
Judy Barrat was a Featured Poet at the April 2026 Second Sunday Poetry Series
Judy Barrat was a Featured Poet at the April 2026 Second Sunday Poetry Series