When I wish upon a star at night,
a silent prayer for all the world;
that we may live peace and leave peace
as a legacy for our children.
What do we teach with bombs?
That it’s okay to bust your neighbour
because you have become
judge and executioner
with an eye to morality...?
When I look up into the peace
of my night - I imagine also
the horrific night of less fortunate souls.
I can see the brilliance of the moonlight
reflected on the night clouds...
but, I also see the darkness that
plays a part in this paradox.
When I close my eyes and breathe deeply
of my clean and clear night air;
I smell also the fear and the terror
of war and of guns...I step on decay
and the dying flesh of mortals.
When I open my ears to the beauty
of nature in my part of the world...
I hear birds singing and breezes
bringing spring upon the air;
I hear also the whistle of bombs
just outside my window - the scream
of the child next door who has
just witnessed death for the first time.
And when will we learn, war is not
the way to solve our problems?
For Truth and justice can be found
only in peace, and peace - can
be found only in the souls of
those who live from the well of
gratitude within their heart.

© Deborah L. Kelly