I wish for peace.
I wish for change.
For the world to care about cleaning our air,
getting rid of plastic, purifying our oceans,
saving endangered animals, including us,
for coral reefs to stop dying,
for us to take action,
to place a ban on rapid fire rifles,
to take steps toward peace, even baby ones,
to greet our neighbors when we walk,
to uplift conversation when we talk,
to have compassion for the oppressed,
for all children to feel safe when they go to bed.
(prayer for New Year 2026)
We make paper cranes
sing songs for peace
think of Sadako
meditate,
wonder at the images
August 6th of ’45,
the pilots shocked
at the fire cloud,
100,000 gone in a flash of light
People on fire sit in shock,
Children cry, skin falls away,
and I like to think
after 80 years
that we have LEARNED,
that we are BETTER,
but I know that fear is still a tool
used by those drunk on their power,
to create a world where we exist
apart from one another,
So it is good to gather here,
to remember and to pray,
that this horror may never show itself
on any future day,
Good to look around the room,
see others here for peace,
Set a lantern on the river,
Lift a crane and set it free.
cfblack 08-06-2018, revised 8-13-2024
Doctor Grandma 