City of Hope

Early morning in the city center  
While the dark lingers, concealing shadows  
The loud jolting and jarring, banging  
Of a dumpster being emptied
By a prehistoric garbage truck  
Smell the diesel, the dirt, the grime, the garbage  
Hear sirens consistently warning and wailing  
Pass those on the street stumbling, hanging on by a thread,  
Those who have socks with holes, those who have fallen,  
Without domicile, those in doubt  
Remember the apostle Paul shipwrecked, beaten and jailed  
Yet was profound as he pondered  
“If we have only hope in this life we are of all men most miserable”  
Yet this unfortunate lot seems to be most miserable having little hope  
Smell the dirt, the grime, the garbage, the urine  
Hear the street lights hum, sparrows chirping in the dawn,  
Church bells in the distance  
Maybe tomorrow holds a brighter day  
. . . for us all