this ass
sees the spots
on the wooden
carrot where
the paint
has rubbed off
exposing the
duplicitous
nature of hope.

yet it dangles
tantalizingly
in front of
my face
always just
close enough
to seem attainable
while remaining
ever out of
my fumbling grasp.

i am aware
enough to know
yet foolish
enough to want
the things this
life has always
kept me from.