The Hope Beyond

The route laid out for us
turns slippery with
transparent drizzle.
The soft drops
dampen gray roads.
Barren trees
give a hopeless nod
to the stark reality of winter.
A slate sky mimics
the ashen hue of the road.
But the monotonous view
from the windshield
gives way to
expectations
that lie beyond
white stripes
and bright yellow lines.

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