The Greatest Aim of Humankind (an acrostic)
Pursue the beating of swords into ploughshares
Etch onto windowpanes, “The time has come”
Aiming to embrace all peoples as one family
Chanting, not dogma, but “Love,” in many tongues
Everyone will cry out, “Enough of war, time to live!”
© Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For a new site, Poetic Bloomings, to the prompt “a goal-oriented poem.” Please check out Marie and Walt’s new prompt site – I think you’ll love their pace, their vibe. This is also, as always, posted to my oasis from all chaos, Poets United.
Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Kim Nelson
So lovely, Amy. You’ve said a lot with few words. A message that cannot be overstated.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Kim. A member of our congregation of Japanese descent has asked for this for a Hiroshima remembrance project. And you’re right – we cannot stop talking and acting and DEMANDING peace (in non-violent ways) until it’s achieved. Please join me in calling on the President for an end to hostilities in Afghanistan, for a start! Amy
booguloo
Agreed!
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, knew you’d catch the vibe, Michael!
christine
Beautiful sentiments.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks Christine. Hope they come true in our lifetime…
Mike Patrick
This is a wonderful poem with a perfect theme. One can only hope that it can be achieved, and ideally, in my lifetime.
Sharp Little Pencil
I said exactly that to another friend on this comment list. Is it too much to ask? Call Pres. Obama and demand an end to the $250M/month expense in Afghanistan:
1-202-456-1111. You may have to go through a few busy signals… gee, wonder why? I love the prez but he’s letting us down on this. Thanks, Mike, Amy
Roger Green
I shared this with some Peace Bloggers.
Speaking of sharing: you are mentioned here – http://www.rogerogreen.com/2011/07/22/call-me-mr-versatility/
Sharp Little Pencil
I just emailed you asking for this link because I made the mistake of going top to bottom on page. Thanks so much for this, Roger; you are a true friend to include me in the list of bloggers. And thanks again for sharing with Peace Bloggers. Always happy to be able to share the message… Peace, Amy
Laurie Kolp
Amy~ This is beautiful and quite apropos for today.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Laurie. I am with John Lennon: Give peace a chance. What do we have to lose… besides some defense contractors not getting quite so rich?
vivienne Blake
Splendid, Amy. I second, third and applaud the sentiment.
Sharp Little Pencil
I knew you would, Viv. You’re my kind of person. Hope to come to France and sip espresso with you one day…!
Sherry Blue Sky
Amy, this is The Best!!!! Are you involved with the online Peace Globe movement? You could write this on your peace globe. I’ll send you a link to the site – you’ll love it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sherry, I’ll check it out! Also, a friend is inviting me to read this for her Hiroshima project…
Roger Green
Did I tell you I submitted this poem to a peace blog listserv?
Did I tell you I mentioned you in Friday’s blogpost?
Maybe not; it was too damn hot…
Sharp Little Pencil
How very Cole Porter of you: Too Damn Hot! No, but I thank you for submitting the poem on my behalf, that was very kind of you, Rog. Also I will check out the blogpost, because I didn’t catch anything that day. Wow, you ROCK! Thanks from Amyland, Roger!!
Marie Elena
Thank you soooo much, Amy! Good to see you back in the land of the virtual living, lol! Great acrostic!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Marie. I had a feeling you would like that, and it’s been making the rounds at peace sites, apparently! People have been submitting on my behalf. I don’t usually do acrostics, but this one screamed at me as I lay in bed… skipping church!
becca givens
I love what you have done with this piece … I am enthralled with successful acrostic poetry – I have not tried it yet, but I entertain trying my hand one day when my muse is ready for it! 🙂 I appreciate your visits. Thank you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Becca. I am not a fan of forms in general – I often find myself cramming words or syllables in for the sake of… you know? But this one came out of the blue – and, as I told Marie Elena, I wrote it while I was skipping church! Guess the Spirit decided that, even if the flesh was weak, the muse was willing!
brian miller
lovely…peace would be it, i only wish the direction to it were more aparent…nice acrostic
Sharp Little Pencil
Dear Brian, how about this:
All world leaders who have gripes with each other should get a boxing ring and settle it there.
All arms can be melted down for artwork, free to any sculptor or other mixed-media artist, as well as GOOD steel for our bridges instead of Chinese crap.
Everyone needs to hug one stranger each day, as well as give and receive one backrub.
At least, there’s a start! Man, I AM a dreamer… Thanks, Brian. Peace, Amy
Rose Ribbon
Wow. I wish I could write like that! I really love your work. I personally suck at poetry, but I love to read it. I found you through the Crazy Chicks Club… so glad I did. Can’t wait to read more! ~Pam
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, thanks for dropping by, you wild woman. And now I have to go to your blog to see what you DON’T “suck” at, LOL. Photographer? Flash fiction? We’ll see! Peace. Amy