hope

in the darkness, no moon stars obscured by clouds of futility. a lone voice cries out. tearing asunder the promise of a once optimistic heart. beaten down time and time again. kicked to the curb and reminded of the worthlessness of an honest heart. love is pathetic. sex a drug. children a tool used to manipulate and destroy. all that once was has become nothing more than a carnival freak show. kept behind the bars of cage for the protection of the general population. come one come all. come see the last remaining dreamer. a fool. refusing to worship at the altar of indifference. refusing to accept that which has become common knowledge. the last remaining pagan holding on to a reality that has faded beyond yesterday. minions of the new age pass slowly buy. muttering and murmuring. covering the eyes of the young to protect them from the horrors. moving quickly as if hope might be contagious. as if love was a four-letter word unfit for human consumption.

until….

one stops unafraid. eyes wide with wonder. hands pass between bars, gently, almost lovingly touching. words are unnecessary. extraneous at this point. a lifetime of information exchanged. vows made, promises accepted.

in a moment the weight of the masses separates the one from the cage, forcing distance between the two. a seed has been planted though. watered by the words of a promise. strengthened by the knowledge that one other heart exists still in this world of darkness. left with a shield of hope, protection from the coming storm.