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Poet's Note: I wrote this first Special Edition poem, "Dear Hopeful", for a dear friend of mine and their family during a time so raw and weighing: grief. Death tends to either feel so far away, or far too close, and grief itself could be associated with many things, the loss of anything, whether a possession, a loved one, or even happiness. Since this is a Special Edition poem, it's generally a lot more specified, but there aren't many of us who don't yet know what grief feels like, though we all respond to it in different ways. But remember, true love withstands all time, and those whom you love, would want you to live each day to the fullest! Even if they aren't there to live them with you. And even though they feel so very far away... there is hope for a day when all will be restored. This one isn't signed "From, Rea" at the end, since it just didn't quite fit. But... I think that makes it all the more powerful.

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Dear Hopeful,

Three strokes of midnight, still awake,
Blinking at the ceiling, haven't slept for days;
Numb or too shattered, the line's undefined,
All you know is you just can't close your eyes.

Nightlight's beaming, but the shadows still loom,
Deep within the glow of those blooms;
Like petals falling, drifting off on the breeze,
With the memories guilty of stealing your sleep.

Buried under warmth, you're still cold,
Missing the love that made you a home;
Restlessly shifting, whether to scream or to cry,
Or glare at Heaven and just shout out 'why!'

Fight or flight, run or just unfold,
Tearing at your heart like your soul;
Pillows flying or bearing tears as they shed,
Over and over, as reality has been set.

Again and again, say you're strong,
The sympathy is wearing you down;
Their tear stains, the 'I'm sorrys' drive it home,
Cause in this embrace you've never felt so alone.

Flashbacks, a cinema in your brain,
Replaying all the moments you'd change;
Whispering apologies for harsh words,
But knowing you can never make it right anymore.

Wanting to move, forget, but dreading morning,
Each day another round of anguished mourning;
All around you, long faces, pitiful looks,
But every hug, soft smile, only empty gestures.

So lost, so angry, so aghast,
You're just a mess, emotional wreck;
Withdrawing, falling further beneath the storm,
Waves coursing through, in this tide you have drowned.

This narrow road, nowhere through but through,
But every shaky inhale's repeating the truth;
Not just a moment, a fleeting time to withstand,
Nothing will ever be the same again.

Inexplicable, you simply don't understand,
God, how could this be your perfect plan?
The good work started, was this your purpose in mind?
Or are you just another white lie?

Floating on an aura of darkness,
You see the light of life, but you've lost it;
How could time go on, just like that?
When breath's as flighty as a thin grain of sand.

They all claim, but they could never relate,
Empathy's another sick human game;
And if they can, why should it ease any hurt?
A friend can't give you back the world.

Some say it's funny how a second can change,
Everything that you will now have to face;
That living's a race of new obstacles,
But you're petrified by every ring of the phone.

So sudden can bad news be beared,
One mere word can end all your prayers;
Skittish, fearful of what tomorrow holds,
Or even in a blink you may know.

Ignorance is bliss, is that true?
You're starting to see how knowledge can bruise;
But dreams can't last forever, nor sleep,
And you always must accept reality.

All that you cherish, a weakness,
Is it worth the joy secreted?
Would you rather be at loss or lose?
Cause the heart is so easy to abuse.

Saying goodbye, the words your mouth just can't form,
Staring, pale, your feet frozen to the floor;
Shocked, awakened, to the future ahead,
And begging to just fall back into bed.

Walking for hours, just searching for yourself,
Cause where the heck has your spirit gone?
What would a crystal ball show in your eyes?
As vacant of sparkle as tonight.

Every star above like spotlights on you,
Can't escape your role, in this battle in view;
Clutching the remnants as they are tugged away,
And you've lost all motivation to pray.

Hopeful, you're crying, your broken pieces dividing,
Burning from flying, all good stories have endings;
Wind knocked away, lying there, dazed on the floor,
But love's arousing, calling you to endure.

Swirls of color blown into the ink black,
Like a magical, rainbow filled pen;
Livening, lighting, those golden jeweled gates,
And the voice beyond it singing your name.

The melody that once birthed your wings,
Reminding your heart why to beat;
That if each day's a miracle to behold,
We must make the best of each moment alone.

It's so irritating, yes, I know,
Once again those so often heard words;
Why do we just have to accept fate?
Can we not fight it for better play?

Hopeful, anger's reckless, defeating,
Perhaps you're just yet to realizing,
How much more you've lost than you think,
But there's a glory leaving you on the brink.

So small in the scheme of the world,
But you're connected in the circle of hope;
That prospecting star we all gaze upon,
Ready to run into their wide open arms.

The nights so silent, days so absent,
Hopeful, you've been left behind for a reason;
Mayhap lonely, but never a second abandoned,
Smiling down upon you, on earth as in heaven.

The present a snap in eternity,
Although you're still impatiently waiting;
Faith's the narrow road, not the free ride,
A promise of hope, suffering's forever lifeline.

Hopeful, you are so blessed!
Don't wallow this time, any day could be your last;
You're a part of something grander than life,
Just let go and trust, you're held in this might.

Reassurance just can't close that far distance,
This journey seems so circled and ceaseless;
But Hopeful, there's a bridge broadly open,
Spirit, humanity, bound by our assurance.

Tell me, would you take a bullet for love?
Sacrifice for that powerful feeling of heart?
Hopeful, if you'd take their place in a heartbeat,
Remember they've opened the greatest gift ever received!

Healthy, happy, liberated,
Forever free of the burdens you're facing;
In time, we all cross the line of lives,
But we've been saved from the boundary of sides!

Someday, glorious day, Eden will be restored,
Misplaced, torn apart, not forgotten in reward;
Face to face, every partaker of history,
And share as one perfect, wholesome family.

Hopeful, indeed you may believe,
But truly, look at me, do you really believe?
Character shines through in action,
So live it, to the fullest, each breath you're given.

They say hardship makes you stronger,
That faith sprouts in the most desperate struggles;
And failure may be the greatest teacher of all,
But Hopeful, that doesn't mean tears can't still fall.

Don't fight it, lie to yourself any more,
You don't have to be unbreakable;
There can't be hope without a longing,
So cherish the memories, await a reuniting.

Just release, let it fall,
You're not invincible;
Cry, scream, just collapse,
But don't give up on all joy just yet.

Beyond your heartbreak, your sorrow,
Lies a great, big, beautiful tomorrow;
And past the horizon, the sunset,
The diamond in your rough's ever present.

When you're restless at midnight,
When you just can't understand why;
Through you're screaming and weeping,
And when you're sick from persevering.

If you're despairing, alone,
Doubting the chances of hope,
Hopeful, rising out of your broken dreams,
Comes the harmony of love forever to be-

"My love, my hope, my joy, my pride,
Look in the mirror at my smile and my eyes;
Prized possession, worth every price that I paid,
Upon my heart your name is engraved.

My trust, my friend, my promise, my dream,
You're everything and more than I prayed you would be;
Beaming from above, your guardian angel,
Watching as you bloom through the trials.

My spirit, my flame, my power, my cherished,
Now, go with God, and live out life to the fullest;
Run wild and free, let me hear your laughter,
Until together we'll live happily ever after.

My fighter, my inspirer, my warrior, my survivor,
Carry every moment, each day, a reminder,
I wish for you a future of hope, love, success, joyous,
Cause my Hopeful-

I dream of you becoming all I couldn't." 

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