This time I wasn’t even surprised
to see my brand new beautiful hope
get taken out for a thrashing  –
no easy, luxurious dawn
for the truth I glimpsed  – instead,
a winter wind, anger and tears

I suppose it makes sense
for hopes to prove their mettle,
to catch the storm in their sails,
to drive me forward

And it did right itself, before day’s end,
did bring in some kind of fruit,
did prove itself able to stand,
showing its strength through its trial,
showing what hope is for.

©Wendy Mulhern
February 8, 2021