by Mark Saba

Our mentor who dwells in the spirit
let us not forget you.
We strive for a perfect society
but remember it comes only by days.

Remind us to honor our birthplace
that provides food, and direct us away from guilt
that comes from mistakes we make
as we'll know not to hold grudges.

Let us keep a sense of balance
between pleasure and responsibility.
Let us never lose faith
that we can only succeed together.

For we will find paradise, courage, and light
if we keep this pact with wisdom.

Mark Saba has been writing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction for 40 years. His book publications include, most recently, Two Novellas: A Luke of All Ages / Fire and Ice, Calling the Names (poetry), and Ghost Tracks: Stories of Pittsburgh Past. His book of creative nonfiction, Forking Paths, will be published in early 2023, as will his next poetry book, Flowers in the Dark. His work has appeared widely in literary magazines around the U.S. and abroad. He is also a painter, and is recently retired as a medical illustrator at Yale University.