Protestations of Peace
I will not whisper ‘Peace’
Like a cooing turtle dove;
When the carnage has ended,
Then speak to me of love.
Never forget that words are
The mightiest weapons of all,
Their insidious influence is able
To hold entire nations in thrall.
But empty words of brash bravado
With no accompanying steel
Can lead the unwary into war,
And cause proud nations to kneel.
Men expound warmly on peace
Before the battles have begun
And never again with sincerity
Until the war is lost and won.
We are not moved to battle
By gentle words of peace -
Can entreaties softly uttered
Cause roaring guns to cease?
One cannot protest slaughter
With words of sweet accord:
Peace relies upon strong arms
Wielding finely honed swords.
So I’ll thunder to the heavens
Of my anguish and my pain
Until the gods relent and send
Peace back to me again.
© Thurman P. Woodfork
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