Illusion

Hope is a sylph,

spreads its wings,

flees through the gaps,

'tween my fingers.

Hope is a nymph,

makes mischief, 

keeps me,

on a leash, 

drags me down..

Hope is a shape-shifter,

stays not the same.

you want one,

Hope gives you another.

Hope the carrot,

me the mule!

Hope, the immortal,

Hope, elusive! illusive!