hopefulness

among the soft words of the place

i know as home

so many are spoken

so kindly

so truthfully

that they compel through their mere existence

the need to be addressed

among them and most especially i know

the voice that passes through me

and honouring that voice

amid the turbulent divergence

and diversions

that i know as life

gives me hope

hope sings its song

in the language of every listener

shaping its body to the form of the cup

from which i drink

of life's experiencing

hope asks me to see

by the flickering candle flame that is the short-lived gift of my life

the great and small possibilities

that i am

and to love and respect

each as fully as my very own children

hope compels me

to embrace

my reflection

in the wine

that is this world