When hopes

which swell within and drive you forth

Burst into the nothing

they already were

Then the journey of Hope begins.

In the dark night of belief it starts: through

humiliation,

weakness,

resentment,

and suffering.

Rendered benignly indifferent to the universe,

you become

A believer only in the Mystery.

Venturing forth on the long march of care:

rootless,

ineffective,

weary,

and unfulfilled.

Burdened with a universe of suffering,

Life-never so full.

What drives you forth

in such dark belief

and unending care?

Refreshed by what mysterious wellspring?

Hope.

Born not of you.

But Hope.