Lisa Krawczyk

Hope is the thing that parades

along the street a convincing

show of solidarity rarely

reckoning with what the song

demands. The firefighter leans

outside the fire hydrant’s window,

flicking a cigarette; the last

memory you have on the bus.

The Irish-American’s stomping

the St. Patty’s parade; oblivious

to the pandemic starting, their bagpipes

screaming into the afternoon

down 29th Street. Lulling Hope to a slow

pace, we now sing falsely Hope’s

praises. Until we answer

to her song, we will never

understand Hope’s true call.

Lisa Krawczyk currently lives in Philadelphia, but they miss at least three things about the Chippewa Valley.