Poems for Peace
It might seem impossible that our individual selves can affect the world, but if only we knew how much we each mattered, and how far we radiate—what we hold in our hearts (love or fear), how we speak to the people around us (with kindness or anger), the actions we decide to take today (help another or help only ourselves).
It’s a wonderful thing to imagine peace, and to trust in its possibility. Even better to realise that every day we have opportunities in our own lives to choose a peaceful response over a fearful or angry one. Delays, mistakes, misunderstandings, frustrations… how might we lean toward loving responses toward ourselves, and those around us? The more I imagine a world at peace the calmer I feel, and the clearer it is what I can say yes and no to, individually and collectively. In contrast, imagining the very worst leaves me paralysed and powerless. Who does that serve? How can I help when I’m frozen?
Focusing on peace isn’t a fluffy mind game. It’s a strategy. It’s a decision, and one within our power to make. Here are some poems to support you to move into that state.
1.
PEACE
Take these seeds,
plant them deep,
press down the flesh of your body
and water with your attention.
Behind the cage of your ribs
nurture peace,
know peace in your heart,
raise peace in your mind,
make peace inside your body.
As it grows toward the light,
with your out-stretched hand
offer peace where you travel
and peace when you leave.
But first, take these seeds,
plant them.
2.
HOPE
Hope is there alright
but you have to let it,
you have to let hope tip the scales.
Everywhere you look, it is there—
standing up, stepping forward,
speaking out. No more of this,
yes now to that, shaking hands, planting
trees, counting birds, counting stars, starfish,
grains of sand clinging to toes.
You have to let it.
You have to take your hand off the scale.
You have to let go of helpless,
reach out your finger
and place it on hope.
3.
RIPPLES
Ever widening rings flow outward
from your every action,
unseen by you but felt
in places you will never know.
Ripples of whatever pebble you drop
in the pond of your life—
kindness, fear, judgement, peace—
can rock the boat of others,
quietly lull, or alter a course,
gently turning a bow
toward friendlier seas.
4.
our WORLD
The future of the world is peace.
The road to it, compassion.
The steps to take are
listening, love and kindness.
Listen more than talk.
Ask, is this action loving?
Are these words kind?
5.
ARMS
These are my arms—
let me hold you.
These are my weapons—
hope and love.
This is my border—
come in, come in.
6.
choice
Each day splits
into two, again and again—
hope or despair
faith or fear
love or judgement.
Nothing is inevitable
except, at each fork in the road,
the chance to choose
and then the need
to set your foot upon it.
What would hope do?
What, faith?
What, love?
7.
navigating
Frightening thoughts
are roads of no return
taking you places
you don’t want to go.
The further down that road you go
the worse you imagine things to be.
There’s enough
that’s intolerable in the world
without dreaming up more.
Redirect the mind.
Where?
The sun, the stars,
the moon and tides—
each proffers a steady hand,
each offers a truth
you can steer by.
8.
WE SAY PEACE
I keep waiting for the cavalry
even though I know it will be me
and you and us together, but
not knowing how to start, or even
what it looks like when love wins,
I keep waiting. Then I remember.
In the beginning was the word,
and the word now is
peace