I. Wearing blindfolds,
We seek balance
From confusion.
In a nation
Where too much
Is never enough,
Where wealth
First in line
Grabs bread
Swills life's elixir
And creates poverty.

But still -
The analgesic moon glows
And
Crickets sing
And
We are thankful.

II. We search
For understanding
In a schizophrenic world
Where rebel's and armies
Clash by day,
Where martyr's
Strike by night
To kill keepers of peace
In their beds.

But still -
The sun shines
And
Bird song thrills
And
We are thankful.

III. We look for security
Freedom to live
While Mars
The red war god
Gathers his Armageddon weapons -

But still -
Rivers run
And
Buds unfurl
And we are thankful.

IV. We are thankful
When cream rises
To the top,
When April comes
Again.
When self malts
Its dry winter skin
When reconciliation quickens
Our spirits,
Sickened by despair
When prayers never asked
Are answered
When the beauty
Of a child's truth
Sparks hope
In us again
When we care
For others
Enough to shut up
Or speak up
When we revel in joy
Bear our sorrows nobly
And are worthy
Of
Ourselves.

V. For all our course work
In life's school -
Though difficult -
We are thankful
As
We are graduated
One level to the next.

Betimes
We are our own instructors,
Ever delving
For self-approval
Haunting ourselves
With our own ghosts
Reflecting in our year's mirrors
Flashing images
Of
Innocence
Guilt
Forgiveness
Betrayal
Ecstasy
Grief -
Goals gained and failed
Faith confirmed and dashed
Love won and lost
And
Macho ego.

We are thankful
For
The whole
Of it -
And
Being and becoming.

VI. When all is sifted down
And drained
Essence remains
In Aura
Of goodness.

It is goodness
We are thankful to.
Some of us
Call it God.

Written by Addie W. Williams