Searching for Hope: See Possibilities Beyond Limiting Notions

Puffy white clouds reflected on the still blue lake while leaves whispered among the trees behind me in my search for hope.

I hoped to see a black bear rumbling through the brush, but instead a doe glanced and flicked her tail before leaping as if saying, “Do you see it?”

I longed to hear the wolf’s plaintiff cry, but instead the loon spread his wings and laughed as if calling, “Do you hear it?”

I wanted to smell the wild roses rising above their thorns, but instead the breeze carried the scent of fresh pine as if murmuring, “Do you smell it?”

I desired to touch the soft green moss nourished by dew, but instead the speckled boulder stood firm beneath my feet as if shouting, “Do you feel it?”

I dreamed of tasting a sweet red raspberry bursting in my mouth, but instead cold water splashed upon my lips as if challenging, “Do you taste it?”

I sighed and shook my head before walking away from the doe, loon, pine, boulder, and water as I continued searching for hope.

Hope is all around us. Sometimes we need to let go of limiting notions to see possibilities.

What expectations can you change to see hope? How can you help others see hope?

My poem “Searching for Hope” was published in 100 Poems & Possibilities for Healing, (vol 2), by BraveHealer Productions (2024).