Think of Hope

Snowflakes in the sky, in my hair, on my hands,

On a rink. They dance down, snuggle up

To each other and, stripped of choice, agglutinate.

Dashing blades maim their congenital six-fold symmetry.

Little kids make breakneck pirouettes;

Me, trying not to lick the ice.

A lamp post spotlights my clumsiness.

All of a sudden, there's a sign in the sky:

White and red and white flag.

I'll think of freedom and suffering,

Injustice and hope.

Will I think of hope?

I hope I will.