sunny and unseasonably warm the forecast suggests

yet the day brings tears and sadness

The world reacts to news and spoken intent

with anger, fear, sadness, reluctance, even a bit of caution

Why must it be so?

Can we not work to support each other as we enter

the second quarter of a century that should bring unity?

Our country wars with itself as we seem to embrace

many negatives – racism, injustice, poverty that could be stopped

thugs in our streets sanctioned by the state, but not the people.

Leadership acting from self interest rather than for the people.

History says it leads to revolution, not evolution,

regrets instead of positive progress.

How can one person or a group turn it around,

finding hope, fueling smiles, togetherness, mutual support

to build a better, less selfish future?

Most days are filled with work, daily efforts to step into the future.

But when we pause for breath, often tears rise

unbidden yet undeniable and sometimes inconsolable

curled up, arms wrapped tight, mourning the state

How do we find the strength to reach for a better future?

Yet we must, or we die and the world dies with us.

It is OK sometimes to mourn, to shed tears, to empty our fears

in order to find our strength again and strike for positivity once more.