米蕾一九二〇年作，仅四行，却是她最负盛名的短诗。蜡烛两头同燃，明知不能长久，仍要烧出最亮的光。飞蛾扑火式的热烈与骄傲，都在这小小的比喻里。

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!