"Hope"

I saw what wind had done,

Our laden tree cast down.

More than fruit fell that day;

change came as summer’s end

transitioned into perpetual autumn.

Youth’s hopes floundering;

squabbling in adulthood

over grime-stained loaf.

Breeze-like and fickle,

idealists abandoned conscience,

carers declared indifference,

faithful turned treacherous.

You were my vision’s object;

I was a planet reflecting your

sun’s love around which

in regularity I turned.

Even you kissed

betrayer’s lips;

plunged me into wars

I didn’t want to fight

taking sides in a conflict

never mine but consequential

of this age in which I lived.

Whereupon the tower became refuge

which also proved untrue.

I waited for meaningless death

until I saw what

awaited on a recent morning.

I found small ripening fruits,

on this tree bent down;

tiny green defiant apples;

life from dead trunk.

Raising my eyes, I saw

an orchard untwisting,

their stems, rising,

branches, upthrusting.

Ripened sweet fragrance

floated on breeze;

abundance’s harvest

ready for plucking.

Shall we boldly, defiantly

stride forth in apportioned dignity,

acknowledge our own majesty

save earth and humanity?

© Phil Kemp 2025