HAPPY NEWEST YEAR!!!!!
Peace Prayer

Teach us to love the beauty of the small finely fringed green leaves
and the giant eared large leaves of the rain forest
Teach us to tend the tiny flames at the fingers of our leaf-shaped palms
and the hearts’ fires and the stars’ fires
May we stand next to each other in the bright light of peace

Wash our eyes with tears of understanding
Rinse our vision so we see each other as beautiful as wildflowers,
as mysterious as messengers from the stars
May we taste the honey of peace

May the angel of love whisper in the ear of every angry one
May we dance the dance of forgiveness
May each soul sing its true song
May the music of our souls become an orchestra of peace

May the grandmother of peace massage your tired shoulders
May the grandfather of peace walk in your neighborhood
May the children of peace laugh at your jokes
May the uncle of peace tickle your funny bone

May your body be a neon sign of love and peace and beauty
May you know each body as a cell in the body of god
Teach us to honor the honey of human religion
without eating the poison of spiritual pride
Teach us to pray in each other’s languages

May the aunts of peace weave you bright shawls
May the birds of peace sing you awake
May the architects of peace rebuild your dreams
May the moon of peace shine in our windows
May the sun of peace give us the courage to shine

May the grammar of peace replace the syntax of revenge
And the lungs of the planet be healthy and moist
May each soul bring its light to the circle of lights

May we learn to make peace
May we learn to be peace
May we eat the bread of peace
May we swim in the river of peace

- j. ruth gendler