hope

The ground frozen beneath our feet
​the morning frost biting the air
the soft sun straining through the trees
we made our way through the woods
out into the meadow
down to the lake
still and quiet in the morning air

there floated a lone goose
its plaintive honk echoing 
filled with longing and despair
sorrow and hope
its head twisting this way and that
straining to hear a response
desperate to join a gaggle
flying their way south

our steps took us back through the meadow
into the canopy of trees
the frozen path beneath our feet

in the center of the trail 
a lone rock
that I’m sure wasn’t lying there
on our way out

and by the side of the trail
a cairn of rocks waiting to be completed

this lone rock connected with a thunk
solid and assured
cemented in place atop the pile
the echo of hope 
resounding in the connecting
​
my footsteps continued
lighter now
reassured once more
that everything can find it’s place
can find belonging
can experience hope

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