Friday, March 20, 2020

Poetry Friday: Hope

We are at home today after the Haitian government officially announced last night that there are two confirmed cases of the virus here in Haiti. Schools are closed and we're waiting to see what happens next.

Here's a poem while we wait. It's "Blessing of Hope," by Jan Richardson, from her book The Cure for Sorrow.
Blessing of Hope
by Jan Richardson

So may we know
the hope
that is not just
for someday
but for this day -
here, now,
in this moment
that opens to us:

hope not made
of wishes
but of substance,

hope made of sinew
and muscle
and bone,

hope that has breath
and a beating heart,

hope that will not
keep quiet
and be polite,

hope that knows
how to holler
when it is called for,

hope that knows
how to sing
when there seems
little cause,

hope that raises us
from the dead -

not someday
but this day,
every day,
again and
again and
again.

Michelle Kogan has the roundup.

14 comments:

Linda Mitchell said...

Ruth, this is a keeper! I'm saving this in one of my various poetry files. I love it. Thank you. I'm so sorry Haiti has to deal with this as well. Take care, keep in touch.

Liz Steinglass said...

Hope that knows how to holler...yes, let's not forget that one.

Janice Scully said...

I agree, this poem is a keeper. Real hope is so important right now. Thank you and be well.

Linda B said...

Oh I do agree with it all, and especially with Liz - "hope that knows/how to holler" is one we need now, and all the tomorrows, too. Thanks, Ruth. I am sorry you will not have your class again. Best wishes for you & your family, your school, too.

Tabatha said...

SO sorry that you are having to hunker down again so soon. :-( I like "hope that knows
how to sing
when there seems
little cause,"
I've been returning to "Hope" by Lisel Mueller recently. Probably one of y'all posted it. Was it you?

Kay said...

Ruth, this poem is perfect for these days. I am so sorry you are locked down again after just returning to your students. I hope we can learn from your example and find hope--strong and determined--in the midst of it all.

Heidi Mordhorst said...

"hope that knows
how to sing
when there seems
little cause"

indeed indeed.

At least you know HOW to teach remotely, but it's a blow to be isolating again. Thanks for bringing part of the beauty I'm inviting in today!

skanny17 said...

Ruth, This is so moving. I am going to share on my fb so I can come back again and again. I send you the virtual hug of poetry. And thanks for friendship, common interests, and the blessing of the work you do in your life. Stay safe.
Janet Clare F.

Bridget Magee said...

This poem resonates with me on many levels, Ruth. I am actually trying to articulate an essay about hope. The lines:
"hope not made
of wishes
but of substance" are the words I needed to read to coalesce my thoughts. Thank you. :)

Mary Lee said...

"hope made of sinew
and muscle
and bone"

I am called to be the (real live...digital) hope for my students and their families. The PF community is a bit part of the (real live...digital) hope that's keeping me going.

Thank you, Ruth. Thank you ALL.

michelle kogan said...

I like Heidi love this stanza,
"hope that knows
how to sing
when there seems
little cause,"

Song is so important, and I have recently returned to my banjo and my plucking and singing a bit. Keep looking at those beautiful birds around you–they are so inspiring. Thanks for all here, keep well, xo

Karen Eastlund said...

Jan Richardson is a wonder... thank you so much for drawing my attention to this poem at this moment. Sharing in your confinement...

Joyce Ray said...

I love Jan Richardson's work, and this one is just what we need right now/ Thank you, Ruth. I did not know this poem. Sending love to you and Haiti and hope that you and others will be safe.

Buffy Silverman said...

What a perfect poem for this moment--and yes to
"hope not made
of wishes
but of substance"
Hoping you stay safe.