Hope
Beth Moore

   I've grown old enough to know
   That fairies don't have tails
   That good men often suffer
   While evil men prevail.
   I've tried to find that white frame house
   With matching picket fences
   But found instead black picket signs
   And hatred's thorny fences.

   I've lived enough of life to see
   The innocent maligned
   And I've concluded fairness is
   A rarity to find.

   I've seen the noble dreams of man
   Be in an instant shattered
   I sigh to see another woman
   Used and bruised and battered.

   I've seen shots of tiny orphans
   As rulers rise and fall
   I've stood by stricken parents
   And caskets way too small.

   I've abandoned childish notions
   That life is like pretend
   I've tossed paper to the ground and sobbed,
   "When will this madness end?"

   But I've never grown up quite enough
   To leave my HOPE behind
   I'll think I've turned my back on HOPE
   Then bump into the kind
   Of Gentle Traveller send to bind                                          

   My wounded faith with love
   Who sets my feet upon a rock
   And mind on things above.

   Then I find myself still hoping
   Old folks won't be left alone
   And can't seem to quit believing
   Daddies might still move back home.
   And that an orphan might just find
   A reason to survive
   And parents of the missing
   Might just find their child alive.

   No, I've never grown up quite enough
   To scorn sweet signs of Spring
   Nor can I help but think a tree
   Is happy with a swing.

   And you must pardon if I HOPE
   The Pearl of Heaven's Gate
   Is the treasure I've adored
   And longed to celebrate.
   I HOPE to hug the ones I've loved
   And jump on cotton clouds.
   Where angels sing His Holiness
   And saints can laugh out loud.

   Some bedtime tales are worth the tell----
   May one be quickly due
   Let Gabriel groom that great white horse
   And board Faithful and True.

   So let this world's prince mock and scorn
   My HOPE is not ashamed
   For in the King of Kingdom's grand
   My HOPE has found a Name.