I Have Hope

A poem about trying to keep hope alive within in spite of the difficulties that we encounter as humans. But how long does that hope shine. How much longer can it be pushed until it is extinguished.

I look around and see the faces of those who are losing hope.
I see the eyes of sadness often veiled by weak smiles from those ashamed to say they are being beaten down by this life.
And slowly I am seeing myself in their image, struggling to achieve the American Dream,
Or at least a taste of what it seems to be.

Who are we that are failing to reach our grand potential?
Well, many are like me.

On the verge of going homeless.
Being threatened by summons suing us for debts we can no longer sustain.
Being pushed to bankruptcy.
With tears and anxiety in the legal aide workshop trying to understand how to file bankruptcy.

We are all human.
And we are good people.
But we have not understood the way to succeed in this dream.
Is this our penance then for our ignorance?

But yet I maintain hope.
A glimmer.
But enough to keep the fire of hope burning.

I am grateful to now have Medical to help me stay healthy.
But I hide this quiet shame.
How can someone like me who...
   Has received a Bachelors degree from a famous university
   Has received several other Associate degrees
   Who volunteers at a non-profit organization
…let anyone know that I am in need of dire financial help.

Not I.
I have hope.
Or have I become terminally naive?

As the coffers of my checking account are finally drained by Sallie to pay for my college loans,
And the rent check I paid is cashed and makes my account overdrawn,
I am initially set into panic…

…but yet I still have hope.
But I am questioning my hope.
And I pray that help will come by human, spirit, or even a merciful demon.

I wait for you, HOPE.

Author's Note

I hope that you find hope to help you find your potential. And please help others where you can.

Reviews

[Guanarito]

This was beautiful. Very telling as to the faults of American society. A classic success versus happiness and finding healthy median between the two. You tackled it with grace and poise in a way that felt very real. This was one of the most genuine poems I have read in a long while. It said so much and so little both at once. Great poem. Always have hope my friend, in this crazy world in which we live, hope is all we really have.

[Johnny James Supressed]

Thank you, Guanarito. I found beauty, eloquence and sincerity in your well thought out review. It was a joy to read it. Thank you for taking the time. And I think as long as I am able to keep creating, whether it's art, music, or poetry, I think I will always have hope.