Her Last Will

Her Last Will
          by Margaret Dianne Hendricks/'85

I have lived my life in fierce independence, depending only on my own skills,  
   intelligence, and beliefs.
I have never taken anything without giving back more than what was taken.
Now, my mental facilities have decayed, my body is depleted and frail, unrecognizing.
My life is now in the hands of other, most of them strangers.
Please.
Please, allow me the dignity with which I have lived to carry me to the end of my days.
I ask only the ONE thing.

Work in Progress

Work in Progress

Able-bodied men standing in line
looking for work they cannot find.
Large soulful eyes of little ones
wondering what bad they have done
when they see no food to come.

Where is our heart, where is our soul?
What part of this pain is under our control?

Terror and war and violence surround.
Anger and hate accelerate, abound!
Peace is nowhere, nowhere to be found.
Man beats man, beats wife, beats child.
Each action on the other to rile
Death to death to death it will pile

Where is our heart, where is our soul?
What part of this pain is under our control?
 
Out of the darkness, come up! Climb!
Inspiration find us, edify, Define!
What can I do to change this fate?
The pain is intense, I cannot wait!
Our world needs us,This I see!
Change is warranted I believe!

Where is our heart, where is our soul?
What part of this pain is under our control?

In one heart, in one soul, in one mouth the truth is told.
Listen and hear, look and see, the way to peace
 is very near.
Speak one heart, speak one soul, Word has proclaimed
The Truth is told.

So, if we listen with our heart,
  And see the answer with our soul.
Truth will come. The world true peace will behold.
Starting with One heart, with One soul with One mouth
The Truth is told.

margaret hendricks-2014