the curtain is drawn,
the memories of another year,
a year of hardship and need,

packed in a box,
stored away to be forgotten.
we stand on the stage,

stripped naked by necessity,
forced to choose...
ending, or beginning?

the end of economic hope,
the end of the environment,
the end of individual rights,

the end of capitalism...
the end of the common man,
the end of morality...

the end of human dignity,
the end of the road for the poor...
or a new beginning?

people of all colors, faiths,
sexual orientations, economic situations,
rich in diversity... joining hands!

sitting down with open minds and hearts,
listening, really listening,
understanding that what is good for one,

must be good for all!
understanding that when one suffers,
we all suffer!

when one is in need,
we are all in need!
standing together for freedom

of thoughts, ideas, and words!
refusing to be made to follow blindly!
standing up and demanding

world peace!
standing up for the environment,
throwing off the yoke of oppression

cast by the oil and Wall Street empire!
standing up for people,
people, not corporations,

not governments...
accepting, understanding, compassionate,
determined, driven by dignity....

the choice is ours to make!
we've run out of time,
the lights have gone dim...

day of dawning,
or time of the end!

Eric Cockrell

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/2012-ending-or-beginning/