Helping hands
offered with no remuneration
purposely done
efforts meant to be freely spent,
then hearing sounds
shouting outrage
conducting peaceful protests
to enact change,
and seeing my students hold tight
to morality despite opposition 
from a harsh, pernicious reality
standing tall against erratic fate,
fighting the good fight against hate
extinguishing overwhelming oppression
to create a world of perfect peace
bringing about equality and equity
that’s what brings me Hope
in this world of complexity.