HOPE

And when you have forgotten the colourful half-knit,

semi-transparent silk dress on a date last September

I was there.

When you have forgotten that day

You looked through parallel rays of darkness

congesting your thoughts

Or me sitting on the front-room radiator,

speaking to you the days you were sad

Giving you that warm smile and a illusion

that all will be fine

You Hugged your plain old sweater of no-expectation 

And nothing-you-have-to-do and I’m still here-why? 

And if-Monday-never-had-to-come

Like you thought so, 

Why am i here?

And how you swore I was right

When somebody beeped the bell, 

And how your heart played hopscotch if the telephone rang;

 And how you finally went to Sunday dinner,

which was always a great day for butterflies

with long earrings and high heels.

I was there.

When little fingers wrapped delicate,tight

And chocolate chip cookies cherished --I say,

when you have forgotten that, 

When you have forgotten my little presentiment 

That the war would be over before they got to you; 

And how you finally undressed your ego with me

lay loose-limbed for a moment in the weak-end Bright bed clothes,

Then gently folded into each other— 

When you have, I say

forgotten all that, Then you may tell, Then I may believe 

You have forgotten me well.

I am, Hope.