Hope

hope
that small stirring
that involuntary vibration
the soul reaching out

to recapture
pleasure
love
creativity
passion

bubbling up
urging us forward

a deep loss
like a broken compass
steers the course of our lives
our choices
our decisions
our denial
from then
and on.

hope
that we can swerve around
the never vanquished pain
or at least distract
as its force ebbs
tho’ its spectre e’er hovers.

a small success
and we surge
in our hearts and imagination
towards the possibilities
the march forward
brave
yearning
the instinct for survival
primal
clawing
howling
never give up
never let go
of life’s
infinite chances.

by Laurie Rockman