All that each do and say,
good or evil, both night and day,
are arrows aimed well, far and near.
Speak ill of others and own fear;
or speak well of all and reap reward,
setting in motion a loving cord.
Fear and neediness are noisy and loud,
cast upon others as a dark cloud.
Yet, true care and concern are quiet and calm,
enlightening others with pleasures of dawn.
After all, from the heart comes everything,
each action and word bearing either joy or pain.
Crank the stereo, bang cabinets and stomp floors,
shout and fight day and night and slam doors;
or carefully consider others far and near,
joyfully spreading peace with not one tear.
For to think only of oneself is sure doom
casting upon the world much gloom.
Either way, good or evil, choices are made,
that each day one gives or takes for trade.
A hard bargain is made for personal pain,
or love easily swaps for peace and life gained.
In the end, all have bargained words and deeds
for everlasting death or eternal life:
A trade in exchange for spreading joy
or misery and strife.
best wishes for 2004
Healthy New Year, Poet!
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU