I hope, in times to come, that my world continues turning
That the forests keep on growing, that the children keep on learning
I hope to venture everywhere I’ve ever dreamt of going
I hope to meet the one I love, but there’s no way of knowing
My hopes can reach the long expanses of my adult years
They stretch to how my future children navigate their fears
To how the people leading us will treat us as a nation
To hopes that all my loved ones know my deep appreciation
I someday hope to travel, and to laugh and dance and sing
At weddings and at birthdays, celebrating everything
I hope and pray that nothing untoward touches my heart
I hope my family minds their health; I hope I too will start!
I hope I will experience all that this country holds
The glory of our hills and coast, their beauties bright as gold
I long to watch the clear night sky from in amongst the islands
And gaze upon the wildlife that roams about the highlands
While wishing on some far-off stars keeps wonder in my eyes
I do appreciate the fact that life’s built on surprise
That things I may be yearning for while spring is gently blooming
May not be what I’m longing for when winter months start looming
To understand the things we have, we must see what we’ve not
To cherish all that we hold dear, we sometimes must feel loss
Although I do not hope for fear, for sorrow, or for grief
I feel they’re inescapable. I stand by this belief
For by and by I will lose friends, and family and hair
I’ll lose my looks, I’ll lose my strength, I’ll lose my will to care
About the superficial things, what I once needed to cope
All I can wish is, while I’m here, to never lose my hope