A River Called Hope

there once was a river, a river called Hope when it rained in the desert, the Hope would flow but too much sun has left the soil parched now the banks are dry, the Hope has dried up the critters are dying, no where for them to drink plants are shriveling as they turn brown and shrink still the sun beats down on this arid basin no chances of rain on what once was an oasis there once was a river, a river called Hope when it rained in the desert, the Hope would flow if I immersed my soul, it would be cleansed but the Hope doesn't flow, over or within