Hope

​Hope is there alright
but you have to let it,
you have to let hope tip the scales.
Everywhere you look, it is there--
standing up, stepping forward,
speaking out. No more of this,
yes now to that, shaking hands, planting
trees, counting birds, counting stars, starfish,
grains of sand clinging to toes.
You have to let it.
You have to take your hand off the scale.
You have to let go of helpless,
reach out your finger
and place it on hope.

-Mary Walker