Daily Post Prompt: Hold on to Hope

 

 

I button her dress

in the mornings

my hands ache

from each day’s work,

but I strive

not to let her know.

I barely have

enough money

to buy her clothes

to feed my beautiful child

we have no shelter

no home

and the worry –

wears me thin,

but I won’t give up.

It has been six years

since her father died

and his family had left us

and now this,

is our life.

I smile

and I tell her –

I hold great hope

in her education

that I must struggle,

but times will change.

She cries in the nighttime

afraid of the dangers lurking

and though I am tired,

I hold her close

and listen to her fears.

Other children mock her

because we live on the streets

and she fears

what will become of me

what will become of us

will we have enough food

will she ever become –

anything more

than an urchin

on the streets?

I hold her

close to my heart

and whisper –

all my heart

is brave enough

to speak:

when there is

nothing else left,

hold on to hope –

I believe

you can be

anything.

 

(c) Sumyanna 2016

 

Submitted for The Daily Post Prompt: hopeful

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