Taking a moment to remember
all whose lives have been sacrificed
that there might peace in the world

to remember my father, his brother,
my grandfather and the countless
men, and women who fought for

the right to live in a democratic
country; for freedom of speech,
and right to religious practice,

who dared to dream of a world
free of hate, and dictatorship,
with opportunity for all –

taking a moment to reflect
on how fragile peace is, and
that it takes conscious effort

and sadly, sometimes lives,
to secure peaceful boundaries
and ensure hope for the future.

Taking a moment to ponder
how to teach our children,
the nature of harmonious

co-existence, that acceptance
reaps richness, and kindness
joy, that this is not a struggle

for personal gain, but a joint
endeavour to end poverty,
strife, oppression, and hate.

Today is the day to remember
let reverence for all life guide
your heart and hands this day.