Forlorn Hope

i stand here this dismal day beneath the hues of ashen skies looking at these trees still as bare as i in emotions i wonder if their roots are as twisted as mine beneath their earthen grave do they thirst for hope forlorn on the wings of time do they feel the cold of winter as it strips them bare do they hear the rustle of their old leaves beneath my feet as i walk along emotionless shadowless alone like words lost on tips of tongues their buds are forming slowly gathering bursting outward their limbs reaching into misty air like my hands stumbling for another to hold once again finding only emptiness through the distance of past am i to stand less tall ready to fall naked of hope like love fell forlorn on the wings of time am i a non-existent shadow of past hollow of emotion afraid to stand alone i stand here this dismal day beneath the hues of ashen skies looking at the trees as the woodpecker breaks the silence as if drilling me looking for hope something i myself cannot find April 15 2021 This or That, Vol 2 Poetry Contest Sponsored by Edward Ibeh