As I look into the mirror

Hope.

One word.

One syllable.

Four letters.

Two vowels.

Two consonants.

Containing a silent e.

Hope.

As my aunt lies in the hospital bed.

As my family cries and their faces begin to turn red.

As her husband holds her hand.

Kisses her palm and tells her he’ll never let go.

Hope.

As the world collapses.

As the Earth cries with every drop of blood spilled on the ground.

As innocent children are being killed for being black.

As people are dying from hunger

As businessmen run for president and vow to make America great again.

As if it was ever great to begin with.

Hope.

What would the world be without hope?

Hope.

As I look in the mirror.

And see a better future.

Where gay people can hold hands in public, and kiss on the street.

Where they won’t be judged, ostracized, killed.

Hope.

The true essence of civilization.

Of humans.

When everything seems to go wrong.

As your neighbor gets shot in a drive-by shooting.

As your lover is hospitalized.

As you pray for them, pray for their healing.

You feel hope.

And to me, hope is the one thing I can’t live without.

Without hope, there is no better future to look forward to.

Without hope, there is no will to change.

No will to become better.

No will to help others.

Because without hope…

Why try at all?