What Is Hope? Poem by Boston Kelley

What is Hope but light in darkness?
What is it but water in deserts?
Does it not surrender to blackness?
Does it persist despite many hurts?

My tongue is dry yet wet with thirst;
Water in this desert stands before me,
Yet I have made myself accursed
To never of this thirst be free.

For without hope, days are too long
And the years stretch on bleakly.
Should I then join the grave's throng,
And of peace taste seemingly?

Its gentle whisper calls me from afar,
Yet may Hope be my night's star.