hope

i came of age

in a world i wanted to change

a grandiose thought perhaps

maybe even absurd

but i believed it with my very soul

and there were others like me

we were energized

seizing each moment as if it was 

plumper than infinity

a collective conscience drove us

in our VW busses

each in the same direction

till one by one life threw obstacles at us

it was a rude awakening

there was no transcendental force 

coming to save us

only side doors through which our ideals 

would eventually escape

till the only real truth we were left with

was hope

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Even tho I relate to & appreciate everything in your poem (so strongly & creatively expressed), what is shouting loudest is what is NOT in your poem. Why did we give up trying to change the world? Maybe it's becuz we figured out that the best we might do is manage the madness of too many people wanting to all be free, all in their own way. God Bless America! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lydia Shutter]

I don't think we gave up, Margie. Personally, I have been involved in politics and political issues my entire life. I think, though, we have become more realistic. Thank you so much for your review...and, yes, G-d Bless America.
Lydi***

[Mauricio Montoya]

with hope comes faith but in this write i see faith in a force that brings hope and in all of us to find truth.
thank you for sharing.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Mauricio. Lydi**

[Mauricio Montoya]

your welcome, i had to change a title of my write to hopeless, because i read hope. TY

[light and ashes]

If you live in this world and don't want to change it, I have to ask what is wrong with you?

[Lydia Shutter]

Great way to think, my friend. Thanks for the visit. Lydi**

[light and ashes]

You're welcome :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we were energized, we believed in flower power...make love, not war.
we disappeared in a sense since then.
the VW's sit in a junkyard and the tie-dyed shirts and bells went to the laundry graveyard.
even Goodwill no longer wanted the reminders...
but maybe there still is hope....I HOPE so.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Here's a good sign....tie dye is in style again and VW buses are re-emerging. Hope is all we have, Jacob....and we have to hold onto it. Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Silmara McGarry]

Hey Miss Lydia :-) I hope all is well with you!

Ohhh your poem makes us think, because it is indeed so true. It made a little sad at the beginning I thought about my mother and me also, and all out there. but it ends with a wonderful word... Hope, with hope comes faith, dream and the knowledge that we have God that never ever leaves us, for when we connect with higher lights we feel a fulfilment as when we have everything and need nothing!
I applaud you!!! Truly lovely.

Stay happy and have a great weekend dear!!!
Hugs
Sil
:-)

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Sil. Hope all is well with you too. Lydi**

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"seizing each moment as if it was
plumper than infinity"
Dear Lydi, your words go right to my heart. I came of age in that world too. Every word is so true. Sometimes I feel as though it was all a bad joke that set us up to dream too much, want too much, believe too much-is that possible? You have written an exquisite, nostalgic piece that recalls, remembers, and ends in hope that never dies. I applaud you. Stay well my friend! P.S. Love the psychedelic artwork!

[Lydia Shutter]

We lived through the same times and had similar experiences. Thank you for remembering with me, Annette. I appreciate your review. Lydi**

[Robert Trakofler]

that torch hasn't truly faded dear Lydia it has been passed and i am excited by what I am seeing from the youth of today they won't stand silent for the things we fought for they are fighters and I am immensely proud of them you watch these next few years will put a smile on our faces:)

[Robert Trakofler]

hey is that a peter max painting?

[Lydia Shutter]

Not sure if this is Peter Max.....I found it on Pinterest and it did not have the artist's name. However, it sure does look like his work! You are right, the youth of today have picked up the torch, but I fear their goals are different than what ours were. Only time will tell. There is always hope. Thanks so much for the great review, Robert. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

In our youth we had hope for better things, better times. For a while I experienced that. I have to say my enthusiasm for the future has waned. I see us on a pathway strewn with rocks and boulders. I worry about my grandchildren and their future. Still I try to stay in the land of hope. Your image posted is alive with interest and colour. The white circles are like bubbles rising. Yes they represent hope. Thought provoking lines dear Lydi**.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

I do worry for my son and granddaughters. The world is not all peaches and cream to say the least. Thank you so much for your review, Chris. Stay well. Lydi**

[Anthony Phillips Schepi..]

I enjoyed this poem, and I'm right there with you. The changes we wanted didn't seem grandiose back then. It all seemed clear and relatively simple. It felt like anything was possible. I long for those days of naivete and shared purpose. Thanks for taking me there. Well done.

[Lydia Shutter]

Glad you could relate! Thanks so much for the review. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Hope springs eternal as love is eternal. I can't fathom a world without both. This was powerful and so lovely dear poet. I love it.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Sami. Indeed, hope. It is everything. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well said. You are welcome.