Hope Deferred

There was a day. The sun was hidden by dark clouds, causing a shadow to fall and the air to become chilled.

There was a man. The lines on his face told of joy long gone, and the look in his eyes showed an emptiness that is left when hope is lost.

There was an army. The tattered flags, waving to a glory once known, were held by weary footmen whose heads hung low, they only stood, for they knew not where to go.

There was an enemy. Speaking with the air of royalty, he would disarm many, but his empty words, lulling the army into ease, drain their courage and comradity.

There was a fight. Against the air it seems they swing, but with a closer look one sees, each man fought himself, they were worn and wanton, bleeding and broken, confused by the words their enemy had spoken.

There was hope. Like the dawn of a new morning, but as each minute passed, the light of day turned to gray until there was no difference, as if the sun was delayed somewheres else, caught in a trance.

A stirring of the sand causes the armies heads to lift. A wind has emerged, rushing into the vacuum created by the emptiness. The wind steadily gathers force until it is roaring as a thundering sea of angry lions. Yet there is no maliciousness found in the wind. The man uncovers his ears and stands up straight, his chin is lifted and the look of strength is in his eyes. The sand whirls about him and lashes at his face, but the wind pours into his nostrils filling his chest and pounding through his veins. He tightens his fists and feels his strength. He reaches up and touches his face. The rough sand has made it smooth. He looks around. The army, which had fallen at the start of the wind, are all risen again. The wind settles down, but they can still feel it surging them. Looking around them they see their enemy, standing in the midst of them beginning to speak again. As if they were one man, they slay him and rid themselves of his remains. Then, as one, they glance towards the east for a light, breaking through the dark clouds, is burning; and it burns into their souls a hope, not man's hope, but one that, like the sun, rages steadily and perseveringly.