A Vanished Hope Poem by Carolyn Brunelle

Off the beaten path
and into the world,
she vanishes
carrying only
her hopes.
Thicket and thorn
rip and gouge at her young skin;
a warning of impending shadow.

But she only feels the wind in her hair
propelled by an air
of determination.

She has to believe it’s out there
beyond the things of man
beyond the crash of noise;
a place of rest from the peace spoilers
and war mongers
who would suck up every ounce of joy
and know only how to destroy.

If only she can run fast
.......and far
enough.