Was/Not

How could I not hope
when hope was all there was
or dream beyond my wildest
at worst or best
(so fine a line)
and ever after know
that good enough wasn’t
when I was?

Everything was for sale
but no one bought
(though all looked)
and then things underground
rose up and militated.
It took such a long time
before it was over
and then it was.

Even if it wasn’t
bright things were said
(and coats turned).
Everyone was pretty
much undone
and I was way past
and hardly
and was.

ooo