temper

avoid 
pouring
all of 
the past year 
into 2022, 
too fast
or
too soon. 
big feels,
big change,
big escapes,
pulling on
frayed hope
will snap
that rope
in two. 

2022

where you at
in answering
the question
will we return?

and if you
respond with
i'm really
not that sure,

do you make
small despairs
of the thoughts
you affirm?

or take pride
in the air
you have dared
to disturb?

or escape
or avoid
the pain 
at your curb?

by playing
this loosely
with people's
need to discern,

it shows you 
forgot hope
must remain
as a verb.