Touch of Hope

When you feel an unreasonable glow from within,
know that
it is the touch of hope,
hope, reaching for you,
nudging you,
gently.

It is delicate,
like a whisper beneath the noise,
subtle as light
slipping through a half-open window,
so faint
you may not see it,
so gentle
you may not feel its warmth.

But trust this—
hope does not take offense.

It lingers,
softly circling you,
walking beside you—
sometimes ahead,
lighting the way,
sometimes behind,
waiting for you to turn around.

It does not rush you,
but waits
until you are ready.

So do not lose heart
when you are at your wits’ end,
do not turn away
when the world blurs into a haze.

Because even when
everything around you turns
hopeless,
hope stays.

It never leaves,
it never forgets you.

Hope never gives up on you.

This piece is written in response to the two hundredth and ninety-sixth edition of Fiction Monday inspired by the word prompt – DELICATE hosted by yours truly. Do join in if you have a tale to tell.