No Hope Bar. By Donna Snyder

Sadness becomes the predictable outcome.

Because joy is ephemeral, we deny ourselves.

Others borrow love for a day or two,

drop it fast when it burns the fingers.

Anything more than a half empty glass

is a scary proposition.

Meet me at the No Hope Bar.

Drinks are on me.

Donna Snyder founded the Tumblewords Project in 1995 and continues to organize its free weekly workshop series and other events in the borderlands around El Paso, Texas. Her poetry collections include Poemas ante el Catafalco:  Grief and Renewal from Chimbarazu Press, I Am South from Virgogray Press, and The Tongue Has its Secrets from NeoPoiesis Press. She previously practiced law representing indigenous people, people with disabilities, and immigrant workers.