I used to think that
‘hope was a thing with feathers’
It felt light
It felt tangible
It felt optimistic
I didn’t realize it was fragile
easily blown away
I didn’t realize how it could slip through my fingers
I didn’t realize how it could leave me
feeling betrayed
Too many times
Hope has crushed me
with its convoluted weight
Hope for the dying to end
Hope for safe returns
Hope for world clarity
Hope for support
This hellish storm has shaken our world
and feathers are flying all around
If you’re lucky,
you might catch one
* * *
Talia Hellman wrote this poem shortly after Oct. 7. Hellman was born and raised in the Milwaukee area, where she attended Milwaukee Jewish private schools. She lives in Glendale and attends Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah congregation.