Say No to peace

By Brian Wren
February/March 2004

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PHOTO CREDIT: Marie Clarkson, OLM.  Thea Lewis writes her own placard message at a Toronto peace rally calling for an end to the war in Iraq. 2003.

PHOTO CREDIT: Marie Clarkson, OLM
Thea Lewis writes her own placard message at a Toronto peace rally calling for an end to the war in Iraq. 2003.

Say "No" to peace
if what they mean by peace
is the quiet misery of hunger,
the frozen stillness of fear,
the silence of broken spirits,
the unborn hopes of the oppressed.

Tell them that peace
is the shouting of children at play,
the babble of tongues set free,
the thunder of dancing feet,
and a father's voice singing.

Say "No" to peace,
if what they mean by peace
is a rampart of gleaming missiles,
the arming of distant wars,
money at ease in its castle,
and grateful poor at the gate.

Tell them that peace
is the hauling down of flags,
the forging of guns into ploughs,
the giving of fields to the landless,
and hunger a fading dream.

Text: Brian Wren. (c) 1986 Hope Publishing Co.,
Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.
Used by permission. Contact Hope Publishing Co.
for permission to reproduce, 1-800-323-1049.

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