Love Poem: Forlorn Hope
Regina Mcintosh Avatar
Written by: Regina Mcintosh

Forlorn Hope

Powerfully displayed in a coat
Of brilliant crimson, alive
With flaming wings dancing in a dewy
Glimmer of morning sunlight
Washing the dawn with a vivid
Flash or color so animated
It breathes joy into the start
Of this new day, this new light
This new thought

I wonder at its constant thumping
Against the image it sees on the sliding
Glass door – where he glimpses himself
And must think, despite the mourning,
That he has finally found her, the one
Who he mated with once upon a time – 
Mated with for life – forever and always
Their love was supposed to have lasted
Eternally without parting

He creates a flash of stunning scarlet
As he knocks a ‘thud’ against the glass
Where a mirrored image of himself
Keeps him coming back for her, his bride
The bird that flew from his life
On some dazzling morning, rich like this one
Rays embracing the skin like a prayer
Quiet and gentle, the image of inspiration
A dream awakening

Will this cardinal ever give up and move on
Find another lady to bring him solace?
His steady knock on the sliding door is becoming
A nuisance as annoying as a dripping faucet
Tapping – thudding – slamming into the glass
With an endless optimism, sure he’ll eventually
Uncover the love of his life, the mate
Who is no longer there to tell him that
His feat is already defeated and he needs to
Give it up before he finally gives into the grief
Crashes into the glass too swiftly and commits
Suicide, the ultimate downfall of his winged pursuit
His chasing of a shadow, the reflection of his hope
Widowed, he aches for his beloved
Defeated, he never gives up
The breath of hope whispering in his ear
Reflecting off the fear that he has lost her
His winged wife 
For life





This or That Volume 2 Poetry Contest
TITLE CHOSEN - Forlorn Hope
Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh
April 11, 2021