Hope

Thomas Hemminger

February 2, 2025

A teacher meets a student who 

doesn’t have a friend in the world, 

who defensively believes “might makes right,”

and who can’t communicate a word of 

what they feel, or what they need, but—

the teacher never gives up…why? 

Hope. 

A preacher watches as his church burns. 

150 years of history, generations of

marriages, funerals, dedications, sermons, 

gone; floating away with the smoke

on the breeze. But— as the people weep for the loss, 

they sing through the heartache…why? 

Hope. 

A nation is ripped apart by politics, 

disasters, storms, lies, and betrayal.

Money is swindled, livelihoods ruined,  

cities are shut down, and factories ghosted. 

But— when the sun comes up, neighbors still hold

each other, feed each other, and rebuild together…why?

Hope. 

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His work has been published locally in Dallas, as well as in The Wilda Morris Poetry Challenge, The Texas Poetry Assignment, and The Poetry Catalog. His personal hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It was through America’s favorite “neighbor” that Thomas learned of the importance of loving others, and of giving them their own space and grace to grow.