Hope's Upraised/Appraised Cup

Low blows and highlights

And show-downs and ups

Run in dawn-twilight

Through hope’s upraised cups

Soulmates and seasons

Succor and surprise

Tug-of heart reasons

With want’s sacred sighs

Darling, the hour

That hangs on the air

Unfolds like a flower

Of whispers and prayer

Take it or leave it

Or love it or not

Hail it or grieve it

Time is all we’ve got

Time to be tender

And humble and true

Time for the splendor

Of each ‘I love you’

Who knows... tomorrow

 Might tip lofty spheres

Of joy turned to sorrow

And laughter to tears 

Treasure-collectors

Of echoes are we

One day full-color

The next...history

...where low-blows and highlights

And showdowns and ups

Flow from dawn-twilight

Through Hope's appraised cup

© Janet Martin