What good a hardened heart,
a spit and sputter of anger,
a long dirge of litanies
that strike back, in part
to overcome this downward sense
and press of thumb
to culture’s soul:
there is no recompense.
So gather up, what you can glean
from remnants far and flung
to make a burden basket
you can hang and be forever seen
by eyes that know to remember woe
and its moment that forever weighs
against the heart of those who dance,
who sing and drum and know
that peace is not made of anger’s spite
or silent indignation,
or grovel, growl or pity’s sake
but making right aright
by mighty word and deed and act
of forgiveness, not forgetting,
for in the name of God was dealt
a fragile peaceful pact.
I forgive you but remember well
how greed and might and power
can wound the dearest deepest things
that lips must kiss and tell
our children that to turn a cheek
is not a giving in,
but shows the soulful strength
that falls upon the meek.
Author notes
Prompt:
A breath of peace
This verse is for all the violent dead
who know eternal peace.
United forever for all the families
who grieve the slaughtered fleece.
Ulsterman rise from your knees
and feel this peaceful breeze.
Hope uniting hearts and minds
with forgiving Irish ease.
Weep no more the violent dead,
lay flowered prayer on eternal beds.
Inhale this peace into your lungs.
No more bullets, no more guns.
And your breath will fall upon
Ireland and you will know that
breath of peace is yours.
Death comes to us all
like a bullet through the head.
Life comes to us all
with the aftertaste of lead.
So take that hatred from your heart
and recognise your brother.
Take that bitterness from your throat
and spit it to the gutter.
Knowing that you have cut down
innocent sons and daughters.
Then your filth will filter through
Polluted Irish waters
And your breath will fall upon
Ireland and you will know
that breath of peace is yours.
-Adrian Fox
In a list
A contest entry
- A breath of peace - Poem inspired Contest by forever dreaming.
1000 points, ended February 2, 2008, 7 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Firstly a big thank you for entering my contest. The poem I set this task to holds a lot of meaning for me and I am so glad to see someone gaining something from it and turning it into something powerful and poetic, that flows well from start to finish and holds a considerable amount of truth. I loved reading this piece. Again, many thanks for entering and good luck xxx
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Superb.Soulful,spiritual,inspirational,lyrical and please patent the burden basket and let us gift one to every sister and brother that cannot wait to be relieved of the weight of division.
Indeed,it takes the entirety of the Irish society to put the past away and pull together instead of apart,in this way they will be able to have hallowed peace.
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A breath of peace, indeed! You've encompassed all my feelings and dealings I so follow religiously. The tingling sensation I received at the ending, came upon me unexpectedly and I felt like I was glowing...
"I forgive you but remember well
how greed and might and power
can wound the dearest deepest things
that lips must kiss and tell
our children that to turn a cheek
is not a giving in,
but shows the soulful strength
that falls upon the meek."
You, my Friend, breathe beauty and Truth!
~ Nicky♥
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Carol, excellent musings on how to deal with many hurts and deceptions. I just finished a book on finding serenity. The book espouses many of your thoughts, but also says that in forgiving, you are also letting go, and forgetting. I loved the metaphor of the basket of woes! Write on. YOu can always just feel that you are always thinking and writing is a part of that process. Loved this!
Shana
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Excellent write dear this is very powerful I wish you the best of luck in the contest
RedwingSpirit
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very good strong write my dear friend keep fulfilling your hearts desire with these messages
love the rev papa
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