RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: WAR & PEACE
Peace in Our Time
The community of man
(the generic man, man without gender)
has never been at peace
We have had periods of calm when
enemies have put down their arms
but soon they pick them up again
Humanity exists in a state of perpetual war
The same emotions that inspire works
of magnificent art and architecture
The same desires that give birth to
eternal literature and sculpture
Monuments to human dignity
Also give us conflict, rage and vengeance
The human animal can only find peace
when he and she and people of all colors,
shapes and measures find a way to
contain our dark emotions
The human animal can never be at peace
with others until he and she and people
of all stripes, beliefs and religions are
at last at peace with ourselves
People of Israel put down your arms
People of Russia refuse to fight
People of all nations let us find a way
to love each other as we love ourselves
Let us find a path to peace in our time