HOPE TOOK A HIKE by Edith Lazenby Trilling

Sometimes life gives us challenges…

Sometimes the challenge is finding the value in life. 

I wrote this tonight. There are always curve balls and the unexpected. Yet when the floor is pulled out, when I am left questioning all I have known, hope takes a hike...and this is where it took me.

~Artistic Photography: Wilderness' by Katarina Silva~

Hope Took A Hike

Hope took a hike
down a trail and
I cannot see where
she is going: lost
I seek her footprints;
Eyes bent toward branches
and try to find her scent.

I fear she left me here
in a wood with trees
and fallen limbs
on a night without
benefit of the moon.

I collect the wood
and begin a fire
though it is summer.
The air feeds the flames.
I want to burn like that.
I want to feel passion
ignite my insides with meaning.

Instead I left care in a door
I can no longer open.
Time is a mist in my mind.
Nothing holds nothing.
I look inside to find a shadow.
If there is a shadow, there
must be a light to feed me.

Yet darkness swallows

my feet up to my head.
My eyes won't close.
Need becomes a cosmetic
like lipstick that never stays
and I never find the right shade.

I don't need shade tonight.
I take a seat to court sunrise
and believe dawn will give
me hints to find the hope I lost.

I hope she did not die or I'd need

to find her tomb to see what's written --maybe the words

would give  me a clue.

I'll wait 'till then and pretend

meaning matters when

I have nothing left to do.

~

~Artistic Photography: 'Love is Stronger Than Death' by Katarina Silva~

Edith Lazenby: “I love to write. I began writing poetry in elementary school. Sometimes I write poetry daily, other times not. I adore Mary Oliver, her way of embracing the light while acknowledging the darkness. I teach yoga full time and find the practice has grounded me deeper in my body and heart and helped me move closer to what I call spirit. I also now edit for Elephant Journal and write for them as well. I live with my husband, who is my best friend, and 4 kitties. Life holds challenges yet with time I feel better able to live in the moment, moment by moment. All great teachers teach presence. I find each day is a lesson in being. The process of writing holds me and I find the craft teaches me something new each time. You may visit my blog here.

~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~