After the Falling skies, , the tongue's tumults,
the grave injustices, the travesties--
stalks the irony that would equate
the honerable with a thing of hate.

Uncompromised ,
we stand our ground but find
no listening ear, we stand
brused but uncrushed in the sunless air.

How could we be free
to turn away when we cannot forget
the violent are loved-- like us have names,
like us , have mothers , memories , homes , dreams ... ?

After so much, so much is left
unsaid, undone.
We search for what remains negotiable.

Now you recall
true peace is not the mere
absence of war.

The fact we are here
Standing undaunted in the darkening rain,
tending the smokeing flax , yearning for honor
the lost love behind the flailing hand.

For whatever is said , whatever is done,
we listen with our lives to hear
the deep peace behind the faltering lips;
under the weather of words, discern
the unshaken , the Christ,
the sound of brotherhood unbroken
down it's silver history.......

You're listening
to the whisper of Christian careing
whose unhurried strengths grow
freshly within your deeds,

For what you heed now stop's the world's
rape of reason , discovers
light under shadows , if God has not spoken,
not a word has been said,

In jungle, board room, home,
a new stillness flows:
enemy nods to enemy , hands go out to meet ;
you find there is nothing to condemn.

Thou shalt kill another's
hopes , ideas, friend
God's peace
in you becomes desire to bless. In this,
you find no retreat.

At every point forgiveness in His will,
and as you pray you see a marvelous thing---
there is a death of sins:
you glimpse the alchemy of Spirit turning

Fear, lust envy, revenge, into
blessings that overtake
the aggresive ones.

Light steals down the hurt stem:
the bruised reed straightens.

Are you surprised that in your heart the first
bright leaves sprout , the last.
wars die .... ?

Godfrey John

The end of all wars..... Psalm 46:8,9