Hope Is

Hope is
every thought not twinged in regret
(all is regret)
reservoirs of sadness swell within
plunging into deep troughs and gullies
sounding out the inadequate depths of this thing
Hope is
a false bird floating on golden wings
like Icarus sold a promise that came undone when touched by the sun
and I'm falling into the chaos of this thing
Hope is
a glimmer of light cutting through the darkness
(all is darkness)
I am swallowed whole by the enveloping shadows
all consumed by the weight of your being
and I can no longer recall a world beyond the blackness
Hope is
a sweet song harnessed in a mournful tune
like a hymn sung after the hand of death has claimed another prize
and there is no sense to existence
Hope is
just a word that we banter about
vain attempts to feel better
adequate
full
when it is all just an illusion
like life itself
a petty vendetta against one's own soul