Please Choose Peace: A Poem from The Sharpener

My own design, incorporates the clock, inspired by the Bulletin of the Atomic Sciences.

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It’s been said that poetry can’t make things happen. But in turbulent times, like ours, people often reach for rhyme and song. Why? I think it’s because poetry is there to remind us of something. So, let’s remember that peace is choice, and it’s not just manufactured by people in power, but by everyone. Today, at the speed of our newsfeeds, peace is words too. One word, one voice doesn’t mean much. But one brick doesn’t mean much all by itself. But as you gather bricks, suddenly you realize you’ve got a house.

Poetry reminds us of something, but then we have to do something. I’m donating to the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue [which aims for peacebuilding and handling conflict through communication], and Seeds of Peace , which develops young leaders through peacebuilding skills and peace communication. I hope you will too.

Peace is a choice. Choose it.

Peace is a voice. Use it.

Please choose peace

Please choose peace,

It’s all we’ve got.

It costs a little,

but worth a lot.

I’m definitely not our finest poet;

if this rhyme was a car,

they would probably tow it.

Feeling strong is not worth the fight.

You can’t prove it’s day, when your friend thinks it’s night.

What did the dog learn from the bite?

To turn the other cheek? Well, not quite.

And peace is more than dropping arms,

it’s also about preventing harm,

and stopping cold from going warm.

A bridge built strong in a bad position,

is still prone to demolition.

Talk is how peace is achieved.

Don’t share it if you feel deceived.

Spread what’s worth spreading.

Mask what you’re shedding.

Don’t think in terms of ‘lost’ or ‘won,’

that’s just the way they want it spun.

But even words seem slight,

now we’re 100 seconds from midnight.

Please choose peace

It’s an act; we choose.

As accidental as phones we use.

Peace is a sound we make with our voice.

And not saying anything is still a choice.

Peace is wide. Peace is tall.

The only club that fits us all.

A club that everyone remembers,

so why are there such few members?

The clock ticks. But it knows how to strike.

There’s time for peace if we tell it right,

In the 100 seconds before midnight.