By: Almustapha Umar

What is hope when everything is lost and dreams are dead?
I ask myself again and again.
Is it a memory that refuses to fade—
A fleeting thought that vanishes in shadows?
Wait, is it a lost wish—a longing that’s lost its way?
Or is it a spark that still flickers—a glimmer of light in the darkest night?
Is it a beacon that guides us through life’s trudging pace—
A hope reborn, like a phoenix from the ashes of our past?
I look for answers but they never trek to my thoughts with light.
Perhaps only the heart can hear hope’s gentle hum—
A whisper that echoes deep inside,
A reminder to hold on, never to let go.
This mystery of hope is a puzzle I can’t define—
It’s a feeling that lingers within.
So I hold onto the rope of hope no matter the twist.
For in its embrace, I find the strength to face everything breathing in my journey.

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Almustapaha Umar is a Nigerian poet who hails from the capital city of Taraba State. He is a member of Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation, Taraba State Chapter. As part of his talents, he is an avid reader, graphic designer, teacher, and mentor. He currently pursues his first degree in Public Health at Taraba State University, Jalingo.