Despair, thou art the constant foe of life,
Thou art the foe of hope and joy and love,
Thou art the slave to misery and strife,
No matter how I struggle, thou still art above.

Despair, thou art the dark and dismal night,
Thou art the chill of winter's coldest breeze,
Thou art the emptiness of a heart bereft of light,
No matter how I strive, thou remainest still with ease.

Despair, thou art the tears that fill my eyes,
Thou art the pain that fills my heart and soul,
Thou art the weight that causes me to sink and die,
No matter how I fight, thou art my only goal.

But though despair be ever mine,
Though sorrow fill my heart and mind,
Though tears may fall and never cease,
I shall survive, I shall not cease.

I will not be a victim of despair,
I will fight for life, for courage and for faith,
I will not let my future be filled with despair,
But rather with hope and love, and joyous grace.

Forever I lay in hope.
© Joleen