There's news of fires
burning to the south
and to the east
while further afield news
of extreme weather
famine and disease
and all the many woes
that we inflict
on one another
through our ignorance
and greed
and our too human fears
then is it wrong
to cling as I do
to the peace
that fills this room
the old dog sleeping
stretched out on the rug
the cat curled napping
in his favorite chair
while I sit drousing
even as I write
feeling the quiet
enter with each breath
savoring the gift
of peace and rest