AT THE WATER’S EDGE (Elizabeth Tragash) (adapted)

On this sacred day

When the old year slips away

We prepare to meet the year ahead

Our oceans and rivers filled with our sins,

Symbols of our shortcomings and our regrets

Many are the regrets and sorrows

That weigh upon our souls

Let us gather them from the moving waters

So we may begin anew

Great is our regret

For the harsh words we have spoken,

The tender words left unsaid

For the anger we let smoulder

The compassion we withheld

For our greed and jealousy, Our lack of generosity

For all that we could have done

All  that we have left undone

Many are the regrets and sorrows

That weigh upon our souls

Let us gather them from the moving waters

So we can strive to become

All that we were meant to be

Great is our remorse

For the energy we spent fighting

Instead of trying to make amends

For the times we could have lent a hand

Instead of keeping our hands by our sides

For the times we looked away from those near and far

Who need our help and caring

When we turned away from the places in the world

In need of repairing

Many are the regrets and sorrows

That weigh upon our hearts and souls

Let us gather them from the moving waters

So we can begin to build bridges

Connecting us one to another