I thought I knew a truth, then realized it was hope 

Set down deep in places dark and cold can touch but not penetrate, 

Places that hold on to the warmth of sunlight 

As it wraps itself around us in a promise 

That here under these rays, there’s room for all of us 

To boundlessly stretch, reach, become truly whole. 

Admitting otherwise would be a story only safe to tell in the light of day,  

One too real, too capable of demolishing hope, to speak in darkness, 

When the cloak of that promise slips from our shoulders, 

Lets in the drafty breath that mocks our journey toward the sun, 

When we’ll gather what we can of that inner light, 

Ready ourselves to once again follow the bright pathway lit from east to west, 

Be so warmed through, we’re like flowers 

That have forgotten what it’s like 

To have petals dampened to glistening by raindrops, 

How nature’s tears were once absorbed by soil, 

Once searched for some new use, beginning, 

Nurtured our climb from the cold dark 

So we, too, could be opened up to receive the sun. 

Because on bright days, the hope that stems from suffering overcome 

And in the brightest light forgotten, 

Becomes a truth so tangible we forget its origins in darkness, 

Because I thought I preferred bright days 

Then found myself too enveloped in that blinding light, 

Saw myself as fully risen while I was still climbing, 

Began to recognize the gift of passing grey clouds, blocking enough light to remind me of hope, 

That the promise yet realized is waiting just beyond, close enough to burn if I let it, 

Began to welcome rain showers to remind me from where I’ve come, 

That even memories tell a different tale in sunlight and darkness, 

Of who I once was, who I’ve yet to become, 

As I grieve my unfinished story, whitewashed and rewritten by too many others, 

Look ahead to when I’ll be its sole contributor 

On a day when I face the sun 

And see not hope in disguise, but tangible truth 

At last realized.