the after

when words start to fall

on hardened hearts

we creep closer

we stay calm

a few more months they tell us

�

we dream about the before

we dread waking up in the now

�

swirling, confused

reaching out to an almost

comfortable person

holding back our fears, our tears

trying to protect each other

�

touch starved and angry

while we watch in horror

as half of our neighbors

tired or stubborn

refuse the solution

�

there will be an after though

reunions that now seem impossible

afraid to breathe the air no more

a feeling of a way forward

�

a small piece of a large puzzle

will then slowly towards

a piece of hope

a new kind of hope

�

hope born out of

anger

fear

confusion

loneliness

�

this kind of hope

strong, determined

but it has an edge

it knows it has to be

strong

�

there will be an after

it will not be easy

we have this new hope

a barrier of protection

�

this new hope

it takes no prisoners