Murray Dunlap’s most recent poem to appear here was “Forward We March” (January 2018). 

The Damselfish of Hope
By Murray Dunlap

A fish, new in these shallows
Darts behind black stone
An outcropping of pain
The Damselfish of hope

The time to heal
Eases into saltwater swells
The need for hope
Swims in as faith

The Damselfish, scales as velvet
A white stripe at the neck
Swimming smoothly to safety
Brings you along

Blessings of the Damselfish of hope