Abandoned Hope Poem by Lonnie Hicks

Abandoned Hope

Hope is that glimmer gate
festering in the beggar's eye
sinking long last in short supply
to that last refugee
before suicide;
before sodden dreams die
before humankind's last abandonment
where hope subsides.
Be kind and gentle
before it's lost sight
before charge and chance
to renew our dreams;
murder hope and you murder
us all
for now and yesteryear.
Abandon it
by chance or circumstance
and we sink into the great abyss;
desperation's pit
in which we prefer
its ugly grasp
its sudden lingering extinction
to soldiering hope;
it's a giving up
succumbing to all.
But we ask in which it consists
what mettle it plies
in which we may subsist;
that an entire race may
depend upon it?
It lies in human dreams
of better days
of hard work rewarded
of futures brightened
of faith rewarded.
Abandon this
and all falls down
to Hells Fire
in that giving up
which most resist.
Therefore never
take from those we love
even a glimmer of hope
because in its green fire
is not only our dreams
but those of all humankind.
Spare you then a gentle smile
for those you don't know
for in this is their hope
Spare a dollop of gentleness
its costs you not
All hope can be instantly renewed
if we reach out
to give it
and to
receive it.
Save a life
renew a hope
it's in your power
today.