Hope

People keep asking, "How do you feel?".

Usually, I don't feel like answering the question.  In fact, I never want to answer the question.  It's not a question with a simple answer; and it barely has an answer.

My typical response is, "hopeful."

People must sigh with relief when they hear this response.  It's clean, it's cut, and it's dry.  People don't have to worry about tears, or an onslaught of emotions for which they are unprepared (and sincerely dreading)

People smile when they hear this response, clinging to the thought that we are looking into the future and perhaps moving beyond our past.

But what they don't realize is...

What other response can I give?

If there's no hope, what is left?