“The First Prayer of 2021” written by Rev Kathryn M Schreiber

birds sang the sun up

this first morning of 2021

listening to their joy

I found a new sorrow

the collective silence

of all who died last year

what songs are sung

in Heaven today?

do they grieve with us

here on Earth?

Lord, have mercy upon us.

As of 6:12am GMT 1/1/2021 the World Health Organization reported 1,808,041 confirmed deaths due to COVID-19.