Footprints of Peace (haiku)
Dedicated to Sister Karen Klimczak (1943-2006)
Where is holy ground?
Is it only in a church,
a temple, or mosque?
No, it’s to be found
ev’rywhere beneath our feet
if peace is our guide.
Live out of real love
each of us to another,
forsaking greed, hatred
Holy ground is found
anywhere people will trace
the footprints of peace.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
I decided that 300 posts is a milestone and wanted not to be my usual snarky self. Here’s the story behind the inspiration for this poem:
Sister Karen began the “Peaceprints” signage campaign in Buffalo, NY. Signs popped up all over town, “I Leave Peace Prints,” signs with doves, putting out a positive message of unconditional love. She worked in a halfway house for drug offenders who had served their time. Sadly, she was murdered by one of the residents when she surprised him as he was going through her room. Although her death was senseless and sadly ironic, the signs proliferated in her memory and still stand today. Rest in peace, Sister Karen, and thanks for the love.
Posted at the poets’ collective, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Tilly Bud
A lovely tribute, Amy.
It’s good to step outside of the norm; especially when it produces strong poems like this.
Sharp Little Pencil
LInda, I’m in complete agreement. My comfort zone is the edge of an exacto knife or the lip of a bottle of beer or a therapist’s closed door, awaiting the eventual spillage! Added benefit was telling Sr. Karen’s story again. Bless you, babe. Amy
kaykuala
How tragic! Good people die young. How true it is that good grounds are there for us to discover ourselves. Your thoughts send a deep message here. Great!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, so glad you liked this. Sister Karen was well worth the write. A hard loss for all of Buffalo, NY. Thanks, Amy
David King
Doubly inspirational – poem and story. Thanks for posting them. And congrats on the milestone.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sister Karen is worth all the remembrances we can come up with. Thanks so much for the mention of the milestone, it was a bit of a thrill! Peace, Amy
booguloo
Nice remembrance and tribute.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Michael. Yes, she is worth the tribute – and then some!
Daydreamertoo
Awww that was a sad ending for someone whose only purpose in life was to spread love and compassion.
She sounded like one of life’s big characters, did little things in big ways. This is lovely tribute to her life and her works.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, hon. THe important thing is that her legacy endures. Peace is always the better path, right? Amy
Kim Nelson
One of your best, Amy. What a tribute to Sister Karen, and to the peace and acceptance she advocated.
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m glad you appreciated this, Kim. She was one amazing woman, that’s for sure. Amy
RJ Clarken
This is a pretty amazing poem. How sad for Sister Karen – but oh, what a life she must have led. Talk about living your message…
Brava, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, RJ, thanks for this. Yes, an extraordinary person, a nun ready to serve some of the most despised men in our society… just like Jesus.
Bodhirose
Congratulations on your 300th posting, Amy. What a truly beautiful, sensitive poem dedicated to a very loving soul–I love that idea of leaving “peace prints”. But I was so saddened to hear of the way she died–what a shame–what a too-soon tragic loss.
Thanks for leaving behind all the love, Sister Karen. And thanks for sharing this, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
She was a phenomenal nun, dedicated, tough-love with the all-male population. Always about peace. I agree that she left us too soon, but her legacy – including her devotion to those society wants least – drug offenders who have recently left incarceration – is inspiring. As for your thanks to Sr. Karen, I say, “Amen.” Amy
Mike Patrick
Congratulations on 300 posts. You picked a great topic to commemorate it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Mike. Difficult to write the explanation, but since it’s dedicated to Sister Karen, I felt it was important to offer her story. An inspiring woman. Amy
Victoria Ceretto-Slotto
Beautiful post and tribute to a special person and cause. I hadn’t heard about this before.
Sharp Little Pencil
It didn’t make national headlines, but in Western New York State, Sister Karen is a legend. And the signs are still up…
dani
so very true. ♥ i wish there were peace everywhere. it breaks my heart to hear Sister Karen’s story, yet her legacy is hope and love. a lovely tribute, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Dani. Peace is something passive; war is the aggressive. As long as The Powers That Be are aggressive males (and that’s ensured with our volunteer military and the military/industrial/corporate complex), we will keep making war… and body bags… Thanks, Amy