/ hope is still hope when feet trample / when danger comes after / all

hope / can feel like living bone hit against unfeeling stone/ broken

a successful fall / is possible /  instinct search body / body attempt to take air  /

urgent gasp / test what is possible / seek evidence /

hands offering  /  help / accept evidence

fear’s threat and the reflex to parry fear’s threat /hope’s promise

unfolds in this instant / before there is time to aspirate

/even when help is the enemy’s code for danger/

hope for hope forgotten // more than a word / not an opiate/

must flinch/ must catch / must cover / protect / simple hope acts/ endangered we escape

Jo Mariner