Awakening this morn I hope anew That healing begins as truth Yet as I listen and feel dawn’s new light Daybreak brings word of more darkness Troubling news from the fore-night Of things of man getting worse Blocking all words of longing In a din so loud that no one hears With lashes and splashes of violence Coloring all in the red of sadness Yet in His wisdom and patience Another day is given, a gift to use To we who are here, yet another chance To turn toward a new beginning For new and open listening to hear With hearts, not mouths or heads The cries of those poor in spirit Who hunger and thirst for justice Who call out for fresh awareness For not just listening but doing And so with prayer and patience I bring my cup of cool and healing water From the life-spring of His love To one in need who I meet today Who are parched from longing And offer refreshment to the heartsick A balm for the wounds of fear A small restart to healing