Hayom harat olam
On this day the world was created.
Baruch she’amar ve’hayah ha’olam
Blessed the one who spoke
and the world became.

So here is our prayer, 
as the world around us
seems to wither and die,
as the nights widen and
days grow cold
and crumbling leaves float
down to the ground:

Blessed is the one
who speaks the words within,
the words that kindle fire
for the cold days ahead,
a pinpoint flame shining
through the darkness,
waiting, just waiting
for the moment that life
will be re-birthed anew.

Blessed is the one dares
to speak words of hope
to a world of hopelessness
words that defy
the fear and dread and despair,
words that whisper to
a bruised and broken soul:
you will rise, you will rise
you will rise.

Blessed is the one with the gall
to speak the truth out loud,
showing us the way to a day
we never dared to believe
would ever arrive,
to a place we thought could only exist
in the world of our dreams.

Blessed is the one who whispers
to unyielding, impenetrable rock,
coaxing out life-giving waters
so that thirsting souls
staggering on edge of death
may drink and live to see
another day.

Blessed is the one whose words
shine light into the dark places
where injustice dwells
lifting the shadows of impunity
so that all may see what must be seen
so that all may do what
they know they must do.

Blessed is the one who speaks
where words are forbidden,
who breaks the silence,
who disturbs the peace,
who speaks of worlds that might be
knowing full well the cost.

Hayom harat olam
On this day the world was created.

And today we commit ourselves
to speak the words
that will lead us
to a world re-born anew.