Hope

Hope

A nation waits.
Holding its breath and
hoping for change.

Dare they hope?
Will the big man ever leave
them alone to get on with their lives?
Once a bread basket,
now a basket case.

Papa lies in his tiny bed,
eyes closed,
arms still by his side.
Flies crawl all over his wrinkled skin,
no matter how much she shooes them.
He’s been lying here three days-
he gave up the fight eventually.
Don’t we all?
She can’t afford the funeral-
the price doubles every day.
and she has six mouths to feed.

Will the pain ever go away?
Will she ever feel safe again?

She kneels down by her bed
every night,
and prays for change.
Dare she hope?
or will things always be the same?