(The whole world resounds with cries of "PEACE" - but on whose terms?)

I watch them Father,
Forever chasing the elusive dove of Peace.
Hunting it here, grasping for it there,
Demanding it as if it is something to be captured,
To be held for ransom, to be dominated.

They do not understand Peace my Father.
They do not understand it nestles in Your arms.
That it hovers about You like a hummingbird
Seeking the last flower.

They obtain balance on the edge of a knife,
And they call it Peace.
They prop open the jaws of destruction with a gun barrel,
And they think it Peace.
They suppress their opponents and annihilate them,
And they celebrate Peace.
They chant and march, and fight and destroy,
And they call it a seeking of Peace.

But someone says, we want to take your freedom,
And they will not allow it!
And there is no Peace.
Another says, we want to take your land,
And they will not give it!
And there is no Peace.
Some say, we want your jobs,
And they say you cannot have them!
And there is no Peace.
And some there are who want to wipe them from off the Earth,
And they say NEVER!
And there is no Peace.

They seek Peace in vain because they do not understand it.
For Peace is not elusive.
It nestles where it has always called home.
There in Your embrace.
But they cannot embrace,
For their arms are full of unkeepable things.
Things they value more than Peace.
Pride, possessions, vengeance, - victory.

They seek Peace – but will not forgive!
They seek Peace – but will not surrender!
They seek Peace – but will not submit!
They seek Peace – but will not let go!
They demand Peace with their mouths,
But in their hearts seek victory.
And in the end they achieve neither!

Go to Peace with empty arms,
embrace it where it lies,
And victory will seek you out!

D.J. Ludlow Copyright 2003