POETIC FRIENDSHIP BRIGHTENS MY SPIRIT’S HEARTFELT HOPES FOR A BETTER YEAR, DIRECTLY AHEAD OF US, ALL

Once again, my very first friend in high school, Dodie, ignites my spirit’s cheerful connection to gratitude as she gifts me, pretty much weekly, with her positively focused, poetic trains of thought—today’s poem was received seven weeks after two life saving surgeries in Houston, spaced one day apart—thank you, dear friend, for being so like-minded as to treasure my friendship as much as I do yours🙋🏻‍♀️❤️

TO A BETTER NEW YEAR
By Dodie Brusin Levine

As our New Year approaches
This Friday night
My prayers for hope,
Change and understanding
Will be in sight.
I hope for better times
To share with family and friends
For change and understanding
Across the globe
From end to end.
Peace, no question,
Fairness for all,
And of course, a solution
To combat Covid
That doesn’t stall.
But mostly
I will think of and say a prayer
For better health and solace to those
Who have suffered their share.
Listen as I ask for
Better times to return
And soften the heartache
Unfortunately, many have learned.
I need to see goodness and caring
For each other
I need to feel kindness
Toward one another.
So much I want for all of us this year
But an unmasked face
Not possible, I fear.