Redemption

As another summer wanes    
And cool autumn winds begin to stir,      
We pause to say a prayer      
As if the gods are even still listening      
      
Unexpected reminders of mortality      
Are never sought, nor welcome      
They leave gaping wounds and empty space      
In hearts that were born to be happy and whole      
       
A man will never feel life so deeply      
As when he stands at the edge of eternity      
And sighs a reluctant goodbye      
To a mother, father, sister, brother, friend,  
A spark of his Being that can never be recovered      
       
To think that a mere year or two      
Could turn a country upside down, inside out,      
Searching for its very soul      
In the midst of unspeakable sadness      
       
The world is in mourning,      
Yet how can it be      
That this tidal wave of tears      
Is unable to drown the fires of hatred?      
       
Humanity should be rising as one      
To shout, "No more! ... NO MORE!"      
Has the power of love failed us,      
Or was it always the conceit        
of a simple, deluded creature?      
       
Still...      
Night somehow turns into day      
Winter somehow turns into Spring      
Pain always turns into healing      
Sorrow fades to a tolerable ache      
       
How can you say there's no hope?