The Year Closes

Thank You

To those who have

been kind and fair,

thank you.

To those who have

stood strong, stood firm,  

thank you.

To those who have

lent teeth and claws,

thank you.

Thank you to those

who have seen and heard,

walked shoulder to shoulder,

hand in hand,

never veering from veracity

in the challenges of this year.

Thank you.

To those who have not

meddled and maligned,

thank you.

To those who have not

indulged malevolent spite,

thank you.

Thank you to those

not party to the mob,

not baying for blood,

not casting stones,

not spitting venom,

when others invite you to.

Thank you.

To the

mobbers, bystanders,

liars, meddlers,

casters of stones,

pitchfork and torch bearers,

to you I say thank you.

Because I see you.

Because I know you.

You are darkness visible

and exactly where I want you.