Hope is that word- that rhymes with 'Nope.' Most abused of tired story tropes, in which numb addicts weakly grope, clutching at the ends of their ropes, desperate for their next hit of dope. Hope is that word- that rhymes with 'Nope.' Most perilous of slippery slopes, a dangerous drug that's used to cope, lest powerlessness push one to tope for brief relief and still- no soap. Hope is that word.
W3 poetry prompt
This was written for Kerfe Roig’s W3 poetry prompt to compose a poem beginning with the words “hope is” from Emily Dickinson’s (1830-1886) famous line: “Hope is the thing with feathers”
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
The pessimist in me appreciates this. I feel like this would work as a spoken word piece too
๐ค๐๐ป JYP ๐๐ป๐ค ~ thanks! I’ve come to the conclusion that I am not good at reading poetry aloud…
That is one of my favorite Emily Dickenson poems. I like yours very much too, David! It is very well-written and impactful.
The answers to our problems are not chemical, although solutions are what addicts are seeking, I think. There is hope for them if they can learn to say, โNope, โ get off dope, and learn to deal with their problems.
๐๐๐ป Cheryl ๐๐ป๐ ~ I agree ๐๐ป
Nice play on words, capturing the complexities of hope.
๐๐๐ป Abi ๐๐ป๐ ~ ืฉืืืข ืืื
ืฉืืืข ืืื ๐ฅฐ
Maybe pessimistic, but your poetic perspective is positively perfection!
๐๐๐ป Michele ๐๐ป๐
I was smiling reading this…the play up of words is so beautiful
๐๐๐ป Mich ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks!
I read this and my first impulse was to laugh. That was followed by feeling a bit guilty for thinking it funny – addiction and junkies are no laughing matter… still I felt the humor in this!
๐๐๐ป Muri ๐๐ป๐ ~ I get that