After the Book

I believe in hope now

So I only cry

Out one side of my face

“That’s bullshit,” he said

Looking at my screen

But he wasn’t there

When the clouds parted

He wasn’t there

When the faith and love didn’t fail

“Hopeful poetry is no good to anyone

Because people with hope

Do not need poetry.”

But he wasn’t there

The first word struck

On a desired pen