Hope

We were starting to realize

that life was not the thing we hoped it would be.

So we screamed out to the universe,

a desperate plea for help.

Work with us,

show us something

that makes it worthwhile

to be alive.

We were starting to think

that there wasn’t a single star left worth grasping.

Dreams deferred like raisins in the sun,

and all our hopes too.

So we screamed

and cried

and pleaded.

Help us,

Universe.

And the universe screamed back

in a booming voice that cut the darkness,

the spreading malaise,

stuck to our throats like year-old molasses.

We cried and we

choked

at the answer that bounced

back.

I have given you something,

something that makes it

worthwhile

to be alive.

I have given you love.

So love,

and laugh,

and live.

There are stars still, just

look.