hope is the thing, bright generalist, multi-tasking the hell out of it
hope knows our lives depend on it
do we?
hope is the thing tugging at the hand of fear
as it runs, screaming, our limbic systems in tow
whoa there! take a break, let's sit down over here in this nice comfy place
in fact, you scaredy-cat, why don't you take the day off
here's some tea
not strong enough? ok, here's a scotch
now, let's breathe together
look, there's even a *gif* for that
you just sit and watch that for a little while
if you get bored
Facetime the devil - you get along good, yeah?
stay, ok? be quiet...i'll be back for you later
hope is the thing weaving a golden thread
through the shroud of grief we're wearing, a crabby little garment
see that? swirls of light!
hieroglyphs of happy villagers doing their thing, mythic creatures
those celtic knot patterns people favor for tattoos, along the edges
see all that lovely stuff?
walk around in that a bit now
ah, don't you feel better? 'course you do
hope is the thing hitting the damn smiley emoji button
in our wayward amygdalae
saying: you don't have to lean the heck so far away, at the grocery
or the sidewalk
there's already 6+ feet there
plus!
it's not illegal to smile
even with a mask on, it shows in those sweet crinkles around your eyes
say good morning like you mean it
they're still human and so are you
hope is the thing that courts joy in an endless romance
whispering quietly in our ears:
savor the food, even dumb food, you lucky thing
dance in the kitchen while you're making it - even if you're alone, because then? you're not
listen to those birdy-birds, love the flowers even if it's going to snow tomorrow
and wow! those 17 dog breed mixes you never saw in your neighborhood, before!
cheerlead those people walking, go out, do that!
never mind the indoor cats; they like this and are not to be trusted
hail the loved ones near and far
let's not forget to hail ourselves; we have to be beloved to ourselves
i'm only here to give you the nudge, says hope, a little overworked
you have to carry this
hope is the thing that takes measure of worry, despair
there's an apothecary for that
pulls out the mortar & pestle, mixes the seeds
courage, instigation, reason, discernment, truth; ok, some outrage
and like every wild-good cook who overdoes the garlic
adds about 5x as much love as is called for
take that! you messed-up-beloved world
and keep taking it until you're well
old julian didn't have it wrong
hope is the thing doing essential work,
we can't lay off hope.
Jera Terreng is new to Eau Claire, and courting a long-time desire to write. She loves the optimism of this CVWG project and felt compelled to offer something in exchange for the joy & hope she's received. Bowing deep to everyone who's championing hope, in this time. Thank you.