Peace, the Unknown Commodity
Our world has been at war
since the eighth decade. EIGHTH
Constant bickering plus weapons
equals humans either dead or “victorious”
Where is the victory in bloody children
lying in the street next to their dead mothers?
Will it take violent protest to end war?
That would be quite ironic, but
marching hasn’t done it; even Lennon’s
music was decried as hippie drivel
All we are saying is give peace a chance
And yet the war machine goes on
A peaceful world takes LOVE and respect
A peaceful world means children go to school
A peaceful world means women are not battered
and adults are given meaningful work
In a peaceful world, the Halliburton crew
and Blackwater would have spare time.
Perhaps they could work on clean energy
and free health care for Americans instead
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Image courtesy of WikiMedia Commons
I know I wrote more about war than peace, but let’s face it, folks. As long as Stale Pale Males (emphasis on stale, as in same old crap) are large and in charge of the military/industrial complex; as long as we are dependent on fossil fuels; and, of course, as long as there are “American Interests” abroad, we will never know peace. “American Interests” is a catch phrase that does not mean people – it means Starbucks in Baghdad and McDonald’s in every nation! Beware the sound byte.
This is for Imaginary Garden With Real Toads’ “Blog 4 Peace” highlight. I am so proud to be a “Toad” and to take part in this wonderful cause. I’m also posting this for dverse Open Mic Tuesday. Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Meena Rose
Amy,
It is good to hear the drumbeat for peace throughout the year. Now, is more vital than ever as we descend into yet another round of consumerism: Halloween and the approaching Holiday season.
A voice for the voiceless. Thank you for waging peace!
Meena
margaret
If every country played be the rules of peace… Powerful poem, but I have to wonder if women in charge really would be any better – I find them usually far more vindictive than men.
“Where is the victory in bloody children
lying in the street next to their dead mothers?” Powerful, Amy. As well as the Starbucks in Baghdad reference!
annotating60
While I agree with you about its terror, mankind has been at war in some form or another since Cain slew Able. Eight decades is a drop in the bucket. Best>KB
Roger Green
War, for lack of a better word, is stupid.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, I have about 158 better words for it, but most are unprintable. My dad, who was a WWII vet of the Navy in the Pacific Theater, said war was the biggest waste of humanity and money and promise than any other human endeavor. Thanks, Rog. Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Awesome write, Amy. Sing it! What I would like to know is – how did the first seven centuries live in peace? and what was the issue that caused the first war? Wow.
Sharp Little Pencil
Actually, that was bad info. We’ve all been at war sporadically since before the birth of Christ, including the Middle East and China… But in the past few centuries, we have not known peace for a day worldwide.
The cause of the first war was greed, same as all other wars. Greed and too much testosterone. My humble opinion, and NOT reflective of all my testosterone-laden male poet buds…! Amy
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com
Three cheers for Amy. You say what needs saying and you say it loud. Please keep up the campaigning poetry.
vandana
very nice thoughts, may there be peace for everyone.
kaykuala
A lot of bickering and wasting of energy for what? One cannot fathom what and why logically for it does not call for logic. It can be explained only by seeing acts of history through time which prompted the hidden agenda between countries. Vested interests play a big role in determining the directions. Invariably it does not give peace a chance! Great write Amelita!
Hank
Sara v
Amy, it is quite exhausting all the effort that governments put into hostility and war. Its certainly wearing me out. Excellent poetic call to peace. And yes, it’s all about the money…
The Transcanada Poet
you made me think.. and go back in time.. Grade Eight was so long ago and there has been war and bloodshed all along that path…
Jim
🙂 There’s a lot to think about here, Amy. More than my dyslectic mind can sort. But I do like the repetition in the lines, “A peaceful world means …”, as here with the imaging as well I can relate to a sampling of the blessings of peace.
..
dani
Wonder what will happen in 35 years when the Earth has no more non-renewable energy sources…. actually, i don’t want to think about the world my grandchildren are facing.
Peace to you, Amy.
♥
Kerry O'Connor
Peace is an illusion but it says something about the human race that we still strive to make it a reality.
Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly)
It is such an atrocity the profits made from war…A powerful, necessary voice in this!!
brian miller
if we put the money we put toward war, toward finding peace, toward providing for those who dont have, for generating jobs…i think we might have a chance….
billgncs
even our games emulate war. Perhaps it is who we are.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, but think who we could be….
billgncs
Indeed, we are less than we might be.
Grace
Terrific message Amy ~ Enough of war & greed ~ I vote for hope & peace ~
Steve King
It seems that there has been marching in the streets of one kind or another all of my life. The fact of conflict will never go away, but neither, apparently, does the need to speak out against it. I get this one, Amy. Very fine work.
Steve
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Steve. Why doesn’t your blog link work? Ah, mysteries… A
Mary
Always good to concentrate on reaching for PEACE in our world instead of making war!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
Oh this resonates so well with me. Our country was at war constantly for 800 years and since then we have peace…. yes it makes a difference once you solve problems with diplomacy and negotiations instead of with guns.. Thank you for the reminder.
Sharp Little Pencil
THANKS TO ALL FOR COMMENTING! I VISITED ALL YOUR SITES, WHICH IS WHY THERE ARE NOT MANY REPLIES FROM ME…. Peace, Amy