It is the end of yet another year

Friends and family are scrambling

Gifts are flying off shelves

We are deeply grateful

Though an extraordinary year is ending

Surreal in its actions and content

Technology, market, and climate change

Arrest us slap in our faces

We persevere

We acquiesce

We thoughtfully make peace

For awhile

When we waken tomorrow

It will again be a shock

To wonder how we strayed

Where we began to get off-course

How did we get it so wrong?

Perhaps it is time to step back

And give respect to those who are needing

A lift

A smile

A thought of well-being

We can do this.

Heal, dear America.

Heal, precious Earth.