Hope Enough
There is that parable that the old ones tell
of when they were hurried off in war and
Mother stopped to pack her suitcase careful
with the fruit that they could not fathom more
how she expected it to save – yet despite the pounding she had
done to get the case to close – despite the crack across its side split as a
departing dispute did rave –
Despite the pounding, the birdsong faith of packing this
suitcase with fruit filled– there was a flicker of hope wafting in the
cattle-car as the gentle decomposing fragrance spilled
When all is lost, hope is the only refuge coupled with memories of home.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful... absolutely remarkable!
ReplyDeletexoxo
I can read many things in this...mainly i feel sorrow and loss...but i hope i hope at the end of any war comes hope
ReplyDeleteThis poem took my breath away. I never expected the ending....but sadly, I sense that in this situation, the flicker of hope will dim and soon be extinguished.
ReplyDeleteThis just tears at my heart, Pearl. This is my spring break week, and I have almost finished reading Leon Uris's "Exodus," the story of the birth of the modern state of Israel. Sprinkled among the chapters are several having to do with the cattle cars. I am beginning to see afresh how much the Jews have endured...and yet there is the fragrance of hope.
ReplyDeleteWhirligig Bits and Pieces
Oh my goodness this is amazing!
ReplyDeleteAh, that all important fruit of the soul must never be forgotten. Fine way to use these words, especially today. Thank you, Pearl,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Beautiful...how could we live without a glimmer of hope.
ReplyDelete"the birdsong faith of packing this suitcase"....I see the suitcase packed for the train trip to the concentration camps. Am I right? Your title is brilliant. The entire poem is brilliant. I can see that mother, packing fruit. As it turned out, the most sensible thing to have packed.
ReplyDeleteI think I was as surprised as the children by that sudden fragrance of fruit...
ReplyDeletethere are always fruits grow else where too.
ReplyDeletefunny rhyming.
love the imagery, full of hope.. and what's to be.
ReplyDeleteHope for better...
ReplyDeleteTo hope enough is also to test our courage to carry it along the ways in life. I have found these both in your poem today, Pearl. Thank you for the poem. Happy Easter to you & yours!
ReplyDeleteThis is breathtaking....painfully so.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful...that flicker of hope sustains life...
ReplyDeleteYes hope often shows up in unexpected places.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDelete