How to Find Hope in the Apocalypse – a poem by Haley DiRenzo

How to Find Hope in the Apocalypse

Wake early to watch light take over 
the dark. Swallow all glimmer of shadow 
with a mouth made of bruise. 
Cradle the one lone surviving tomato 
like a lover's jawbone that hooks 
into your hammocked hand. 
Brush a buttercup to the underbelly 
of chin. Feel how flowers still know 
our affinity for lush. Let the ants 
make a bridge of your ankles. 
Wind the names of the wounded 
round your wrist. Crack an egg 
on the bright bowl of morning. 
See how inside something broken 
shines the beginning of life.  

Haley DiRenzo is a Colorado writer and attorney specializing in eviction defense. Her work has appeared in Does it Have Pockets, Thimble, and Ink in Thirds, among others, and has been nominated for Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize. Outside of work and writing, you can find her browsing book stores, brewing tea, and watching movies and live performance in the theater. BlueSky: @haleydirenzo.bsky.social. Instagram: @haleydirenzo