Rachel Werner

Hope is the thing

our hunger thirsts upon.

Despite doubt,

despair,

and ourselves

—most of all.

The pride of man,

Responds to Ego’s call.

A seductive lure

—enclosing hearts—

behind stonewalls.

We deny Hope’s gifts,

To our detriment.

Undeterred, she returns—

A benevolent savior,

in the end.

Feasting upon Joy;

Humbled by Folly.

Empathy feeds us,

is the moral—

of Humanity’s story.

Rachel Werner is the Content Marketing Specialist for Taliesin Preservation; guest faculty at The Highlights Foundation & Hugo House; and a We Need Diverse Books program volunteer. Her work has appeared in Fabulous Wisconsin, BLK+GRN, BRAVA, Madison Magazine, Entrepreneurial Chef and Hobby Farms Magazine. Connect with her on Instagram @therealscript.