Desolation Taunted

She stared at her reflection in the water-
Desolation looked right back at her in defiance.

She smiled right back in good humor-
And, so represented the balance of her own.

She tested her laugh in the ripples of the stream,
stretched her hope in the rays of the Sun.
But, the one thing that held her in perplexity was the world that held her home.

Home was a foreign word-
One of those tales that began with, "Once upon a time..."
A place where families ate regular dinners at a table and not a T.V.
Where dreams were talked about and encouraged.

Dreams she kept to herself-
Dreams wee the fuel to her fire, the kindling of every day life.
Dreams here her home, a place that warmed her when the cold reality caused her strife.

She stared at her reflection in the water-
Desolation tainted her smile.

Hope won out in the end-
For it was what caused her to travel that extra mile.

~