Copyright 2009
Written August 2005
Each one of you is a treasure
Each one a gift.
You raise my hopes for peace.
By showing up
By speaking up
By talking your truth
By touching your pain
By having the courage
to meet the other
To stay with her pain
Not allowing it to drain
but rather
to gain
a new friend.
You raise my hopes for peace
You climbed the poles up in the sky.
Way up high
Together you moved
from one pole to another
Trusting each other
to support you.
It takes courage and maturity
to trust the one
you have been taught
is your enemy.
You raise my hopes for peace
I feel so proud
You spoke out loud
To a hall full of people
Opening their ears
Opening their eyes
Touching their hearts
Teaching them
that it is possible
to live together peacefully
You raise my hopes for peace
I love each and every one of you
I honor each and everyone of you
I admire each and every one of you
You raise my hopes for peace
For me it has been an honor
to be by your side
To experience you grow
and glow
To know who you truly are
A peace loving teenager
Open to hear
To let go of fear
To dare to care
and sprout into a young woman of influence
May you influence your friends
and your family
Your village and your town
Your city, your country ? your world.
You raise my hopes for peace
May you all be safe
May you all be happy
May your dreams come true
May you live the life you deserve
A life of fun
A life of laughter
A life of joy
A life of health and wealth
A life of peace
You raise my hopes for peace.