Hope Speaks

What can I say, that hasn’t already been said?

I raise my eyes, I bow my head.

I cannot erase the sorrow

Or take away the pain

I cannot remove the tragedy, or replace the loss.

I cannot fill the void within a broken heart.

Tomorrow seems so far away.

Yesterday is almost forgotten.

But, here in the present,

There is life meant for today.

Platitudes, clichés,

Witty words and heartfelt idioms.

Are freely spoken -

Namely, “That which doesn’t kill you

Makes you stronger.”

But, does that ring true

In the midst of piercing pain?

Empty words –

Void of meaning.

Silent screams buried

Beneath a pile of sorrow.

Echoes of truth disappear

Carried away by the wind.

Breath has no understanding.

Touch unfelt.

Emotions usurp sanity.

Perception is swallowed up

In the sea of surreality.

The heart pounds.

The hands shake.

Wells of despair quake

And rumble within.

Even the strongest are persuaded

By the power of pain.

Alive?  Yes-

But no longer living.

Like the ocean’s waves

The pain ebbs within the tides

The fear seems to subside.

Yet, lurking in the shallows

It waits, ready to swell and crash again.

So, how does one defeat pain?

How does one survive despair?

How does one conquer fear

And become strong again?

Deep inside – Joy abides,

Waiting to drown despair.

Joy is a violent force

A jealous, courageous foe

Unrelenting, Joy battles the grip of sorrow.

In the hollowed blackness

The night must surrender its darkness –

It must yield to the dawn’s morning light.

Beauty lies beneath the ashes.

There are sights, yet to be seen.

There is life to be living.

Look up! Hope is on the horizon.

Hope is found in unexpected places.

It takes you by surprise.

Unaware, hope sneaks up on you –

Always there, hidden in plain sight.

Hope dances in the wind

And glimmers in the night.

Hope giggles in the shadows

Unafraid, hope engages the fight.

Hope thunders peace, and whispers courage.

Hope befriends the lost and forsaken.

Resolute, stubborn, and unshaken

Hope’s an anchor of immoveable might.

Defying the torrents of fear

Hope dares the tempest of despair.

Hope grins and winks

Challenging the unknown.

Hope beckons, it caresses

And wipes away every tear.

Within every breath, silent gasp

Choking sob, Hope cares.

With Hope, You are never alone.

Hope calls out guilt and shame

Hope wrestles the accuser

Hope bears the burden,

Hope shuts the mouth of blame.

Hope overflows, Hope is living,

A constant flowing stream.

Hope expects.

Hope does not disappoint

Hope triumphs.

Hope primes the stagnate soul.

Forever Joyful

Hope never loses control.

Hope holds on.

Hope renews strength.

Hope and future

Walk hand in hand.

Hope smiles from heaven.

Hope, a now and for always loyal friend.

Nothing left to say?

Broken, helpless, unheard,

Stumbling, weak and failing

Hold fast, be still and listen

Hope has the final word!

Hope is in the roar of the lion.

Hope soars with the eagle in flight.

Hope rests in the stoic silence.

Hope reigns upon the mountain’s summit.

Hope merrily surfs the surge

of the raging stormy sea.

Hope floats.

Hope is in the bloom of the flower

And in the melody of the falling leaves.

Hope springs eternal.

Hope’s power never ceases

Hope forever speaks.

Hope is in the flowing mane

Of a horse running free.

Hope is the hush of winter’s falling snow.

Hope is in the song of gleeful laughter.

Hope is the twinkle of every child’s eye.

Hope is among the breath of puppy kisses.

Hope is the oasis found within the dry and dusty desert.

Hope is in the valley, in the meadow,

And in the greenness of the field.

Hope is in the plains,

Stretching as far as the eye can see.

Hope is in the promise of the rainbow

And in the vastness of the galaxy.

Hope forever speaks to you and to me.