Haunted By Hope

She appeared as religious

as girls got in that city,

fresh, hopeful;

the requisite pose of

paralyzed glee.

Had she wanted more

and pretended less,

her jewelry

would have been

different.

But she chose 'the right'

and wore the ring

and oh my, yes,

she felt the spirit.

It filled her

with sacred whimsy

and tempting tales

of indecent promise.

On account of love

she banked on limited trust

and withdrew

her sense

of balance.

With the truth

varnished

and reality disordered,

she assumed the pose

of one who is

haunted by hope.

© 2009 by Kathryn Feigal. All rights reserved.