if an answer

in the darkness behind closing doors 
     searching for something 
vivid colors always stay true 
     these are not days to despair

doom and shadow 
     tight 
     like grasping hands hoping 
     in search of something 
they are people more than not 
     reaching out 
     if a savior 
     show them mercy 
     knowing no monsters at heart 
     live in darkness 
     when they steal stars 
come now 
     these are not days to despair 

there are no fangs 
     but mouths to feed 
     the monsters are not beggars 
     they don't know what it means to hope 
     if an answer 
     is out there 
     somewhere 
     searching for them

come now 
     these are not days to despair

the bottom of a ladder 
    needs no shovel 
    but one hand 
    another 
why fall when there is an answer 
    for all of your searching 
    to why colors are vivid 

because the night is short-lived 
these are not days to despair

Poetry and photography by Hazel J. Hall