At the Dawn of 2016

I'm pensive at this New Year's dawn,

I wish my heart felt light,

It's hard to celebrate and cheer,

When world peace seems out of sight.

I am seventy-one this year,

I'd hoped that I might see,

A new year when I'd really feel,

A sense of revelry!

What joy if only hatred ceased,

And terror stopped its spread,

And each new year brought hope,

And a bright outlook ahead!!

Much of the world is suffering,

Each day, worse than the last,

I wish our resolutions could,

Make all this in the past.

I pray that in this year to come,

Our hearts will overflow,

In love and true compassion,

Towards those who need it so.

May all of us slow down a bit,

In the chaos and the strife,

And stop to breathe and cherish,

The treasures in this life.

Let's start at year's beginning,

To find some joy in every day,

To be a bit more loving,

In our own special way.

Best wishes to all for blessings

and peace in the new year.

Carmen Henesy

12/30/2014