In anesthetizing hope
A certain author
Did what he thought was write
Sow cerebrally saying
Hope is not a feeling
Rather hope is an action
To wit I despond
This brakes down positively
Why I get
The extinct feeling of hope
Reading such erudite scribble
Just happening to be
The lowest forum of action
As well
A supposed righting tool
Leaving in action
In deed on arrival
Too such a tome
Many fold
Falling short
To feat in the real world
Such fealty faltering
Without lucid dreaming
As a plying hope
And as leafing threw
Made up mine
To ink for myself
A stroke of genus more hopeful
An aesthetic
I’m willing to minister
Here is a poem about the benefit of feeling hope. This poem was inspired by my reading, many years ago, of “God’s Politics,” by Jim Wallis. This book had little resonance with my soul. I had an epiphany as to why this was the case, far into the book, when the author claimed that hope was an action not a feeling. Thus, his viewpoint seamlessly resulted in me not feeling hope when reading his book. Of course, I have since then done the impossible, feeling hope, on a daily basis. Hope is a common theme in my writing, and I hope that this remains the case. 
This poem also plays with the notion of writing as one of the lower forms of action, mocking somewhat the irony of the author’s assertion in the lowly act of writing of lifting up presumably more hopeful actions, as well as a little self-parody as a writer myself. I have little doubt that hope incarnates in both feelings and actions, propelling us toward our dreams. As a recovering abstract intellectual, I can relate to the author’s cerebral assertion. Nonetheless, my whole body of experience informs me that hope exists as a feeling, as well. I have an activist friend who consistently behaves in a way that gives me hope — including feeling hope — yet she often does not experience the feeling of hope herself. 
I do not understand the grace behind some people feeling hope when behaving hopefully and those who behave hopefully despite not feeling hopeful. I think the latter case may be what Jim Wallis is addressing, perhaps reflecting his own experience. Interestingly, I actually feel great hope in witnessing people behave hopefully despite not feeling hopeful. What an odd, though beautiful, blessing to the world — not having to feel hopeful to behave hopefully. I’m not sure I could do that consistently. I wish that those behaving hopefully would have the congruent feeling of hope. Still, I surely can’t complain that I get a double portion of hope, my own hope plus theirs! Ah, such is my lot in life. May you experience hope, one way or the other.
