HOPE

Hope

in darkness deep,
a spark, a flicker–

a shine of promise
in my heart to keep–

a sweet
to mitigate the bitter–

a rainbow arcing
through a mottled, winter sky—

a mind’s eye glimpse
of the granting of a wish
that keeps the laughter floating up
crowding out the drowning power
of a sinking, tearful cry–

the lifted eyes and smile and voice
that lighten up my little mind
that then can carry anything–
I choose
to let them win,
so I give in
to contact
and understanding
of a deeper kind.