*****

“If you hold an anti-war rally, I shall not attend. But if you hold a pro-peace rally invite me.” ~ Mother Teresa 

*****

Recorded Reading (3:34): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/me7yc7r3tuxb3ud7boqno/Pro-Peace.mp3?rlkey=s3ad8qctw696u9zhb0rwcol3w&dl=0

*****

Pro Peace

When I endeavor actions to select
Myself, as well as my world, to perfect
Seeking to do, and not do, everything
By which I may some contribution bring

I see each soul endeavors as it can
No person striving more another than —
This third dimension’s no walk in the park
Here some must serve the light, and some the dark

If all of us are to the lessons learn,
Humanity’s qualifications earn,
By facing separation, want and fear
(For which together we below are here)

I see, when we, collective, shed the need
To trumpet promptings of disaster heed
Before remembering the truths of love,
We’ll shed, as well, the need our villains of

And, furthermore, this heart can clearly see,
Serving the dark, they go unhappily
Though luxury might daily they surround
No true inner tranquility they’ve found

(Which only ever experienced be
By one blessed to live conscienciously,
Who with the energies of life hath built
More of which to feel pride and less of guilt)

In nature such discover small delight
For fear they might get a mosquito bite,
And, in relaxing moments, mind goes not
To love received, but only what’s been bought

Not whom one has admired, but whom enslaved
Paths to unhappiness for whom were paved
Who hates, who cries, who sobs, who begs, who goes
Of hatred of ones essence in the throes

All steeped in “inevitability”
When competition’s all that they can see —
The one, only and so empty reward:
Ability over fellowman lord

To keep him from his comfort, him annoy,
To make him jump, whom slavishly employ
And whom unfairly is renumerate
For labor long and difficult and late

The only protest I can feel to be
Appropriate against such misery
Is to its opposite impersonate,
Potential for relief elaborate,

Maintain an image other of, before
Those who imagine that there must be war —
A notion, I am happy to relate,
Which rapidly is falling out of date

Future existence’s potential’s sweet:
Soon we’ll not even have to kill to eat
The list of elements is not so great —
We learning are our food to replicate!

I find it most constructively to pray
The violent will find a better day
Their so tormented consciences to ease —
To hope that they will come at last to peace

*****

Homeless until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ this poet presently lives under perpetual threat of towing with all possessions should her 23-year-old van stop running for any reason.

She is badly in need of a modest reserve with which to field any emergency which might occur.

Donors may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.

*****