A Small Grain of Hope

A beautiful poem full of hope for a new season. Because we need every small grain of hope we can get.

For the New Year, 1981

                             by Denise Levertov

I have a small grain of hope–

one small crystal that gleams
clear colors out of transparency.

I need more.

I break off a fragment
to send to you.

Please take
this grain of a grain of hope
so that mine won’t shrink.

Please share your fragment
so that yours will grow.

Only so, by division,
will hope increase,

like a clump of irises, which will cease to flower
unless you distribute
the clustered roots, unlikely source– 
clumsy and earth-covered– 
of grace.

This poem would be great to memorize with your children and add to your repertoire. Here’s to every small grain of hope!