It’s Elementary
You’ll quickly spot it strolling down the street,
humming or whistling, a spring in its step,
handing out smiles like parade candy.
More trustworthy than a debtor’s
cashier’s check, it’s also far more valuable,
paying out again and again.
Armies stow it in their backpacks
alongside pictures of sweethearts,
packets of food and dry socks.
Churches praise it in prayer books
and hymnals, inviting the faithful
to testify of its workings.
Food tastes better with it, a little going
a long way. Non-fattening and energizing,
it’s a staple in successful family recipes.
It sounds in every poem and song
and colors every painting--
without it, there’d be no creating.
Yesterday was built on it, as tomorrow will be.
It resounds in today’s halls where people meet
to advance their common cause,
and each night falling, fathers and mothers
enchant their children with wondrous myths--
its very source and essence.
It’s hope you hear, cheering our games,
and when hard work needs doing,
count on hope to call “up and at ‘em!”
Darrell Petska is a retired university engineering editor and a 2021 Pushcart Prize nominee. His poetry and fiction can be found in 3rd Wednesday Magazine, Nixes Mate Review, Verse Virtual, Loch Raven Review, Poetica Review, and widely elsewhere (conservancies.wordpress.com). A father of five and grandfather of six, he lives with his wife of more than 50 years.
You’ll quickly spot it strolling down the street,
humming or whistling, a spring in its step,
handing out smiles like parade candy.
More trustworthy than a debtor’s
cashier’s check, it’s also far more valuable,
paying out again and again.
Armies stow it in their backpacks
alongside pictures of sweethearts,
packets of food and dry socks.
Churches praise it in prayer books
and hymnals, inviting the faithful
to testify of its workings.
Food tastes better with it, a little going
a long way. Non-fattening and energizing,
it’s a staple in successful family recipes.
It sounds in every poem and song
and colors every painting--
without it, there’d be no creating.
Yesterday was built on it, as tomorrow will be.
It resounds in today’s halls where people meet
to advance their common cause,
and each night falling, fathers and mothers
enchant their children with wondrous myths--
its very source and essence.
It’s hope you hear, cheering our games,
and when hard work needs doing,
count on hope to call “up and at ‘em!”
Darrell Petska is a retired university engineering editor and a 2021 Pushcart Prize nominee. His poetry and fiction can be found in 3rd Wednesday Magazine, Nixes Mate Review, Verse Virtual, Loch Raven Review, Poetica Review, and widely elsewhere (conservancies.wordpress.com). A father of five and grandfather of six, he lives with his wife of more than 50 years.