How to Write a Peace Poem?

Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by Susan at Chicken Spaghetti Here. Thank you, Susan, for hosting!

Several things.

First of all, I received the proof pages of my poems from the diligent Carol Labuzzetta. She is composing an anthology of ekphrastic nature poems. I sent three photos and poem and was thrilled to see them dressed up and on the page! She improved on the clarity of my three photos and made my poems look good. I am so grateful.

I also received New Years postcards from Marcie and Linda M. this week. Marcie sent an amazing winter photo accompanied by a haiku. The postcard shines brighter than my photo of it. I love the idea of these red berries as frosted ornaments. 

    Overnight cold
  leafless bushes become
    frosted ornaments

Marcie Flinchum Atkins 2023

Linda sent this collage postcard with a wonky, sweet hand-fashioned paper clip attached, accompanied by a poem about peace:

Peace Four Ways 2024
by Linda Mitchell

How to write a peace poem
when our world knows only war?
Millions wander with no home
How to wrote a peace poem? 
as bomb-dropping drones
pollute our skies and more?
How to write a peace poem?
when our world knows only war? 

        Peace
     quiet covers
   this warring world
       we fight 
      ourselves

this peace at twilight
this refuge from day's worries
a breath for this world

                            In 2024, let
           us remake the world for peace
           Let us take a moment to begin
              again the notion that with
 a new year there's no war for you or me.

Since I received Linda’s poem, I watched the New Hampshire primary where the victor insulted his female opponent’s dress. Not fancy enough. He insulted her as a creepy predator would. I may not be a Republican, but she deserves respect and admiration for her talent and courage to run for president.

I saw on TV three young college women, voting for the first time in New Hampshire, declared they will vote against her and for a sexual predator. Really?

Here’s a response to Linda’s poem. 

HOW DO I WRITE A PEACE POEM?
(after a poem by Linda Mitchell)

when I live in a country
where voters would throw away freedom
for a strong man?

How do I write a peace poem
when America is lying on its side,
bleeding like an injured bear
and needs to stand strong
because the forest is on fire?

How do I write a peace poem
to inspire the world
to value and love
a whole future's-worth
of children? 

© Janice Scully 2024 (draft)

All I know is that I want my children and grandchildren to live in a free society like I did, where they can read what they want, say what they want and live in safety.

It’s a good time to remember George Washington. Several years ago I wrote a series of “Presidential Haiku and Tanka” about each American President. It still sits on my computer. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON

Indispensable! 
He patched together ragged,
hungry men, and won!
This clever man was a star. 
Crown and throne? Thank you, but no.

© Janice Scully 2022

Have a great weekend! I want to thank those who recommended the novel “Bright and Remarkable Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt.” I listened to it on audiobooks and loved the story. It’s really heart warming!

15 thoughts on “How to Write a Peace Poem?”

  2. Janice, beautiful images of the postcard magic! I so love your peace poem after Linda’s, and I am on the other side of the country, whispering Amen, Sister, Amen! I am so sad for the young people who are falling for the strong man image. I’m glad you liked Remarkably Bright Creatures! It was a sweet story.

  3. I love my postcards, too, Janice; such a pleasure to receive and to plan what to send myself! I’m sending them out this weekend! It’s lovely to see what you’ve received! As for the poem, the worry and the outrage are expressed with subtlety. To me, you answered the poem’s question with that final stanza! it is a frightening time.

  5. I hear you. The behavior of our elders and adults is so horrific that young people are lost for role models in the places they go for them. The lack of civility is crushing. I work out feelings through poetry. I’m hoping civility can win on political fronts if enough of us vote and speak up.

  6. Thank you for sharing your poetry gifts, Janice. Your poem is so heartfelt. I share your concern and wonder often how basic kindness and decency are lost on so many.

  7. Janice, your post today is full of poetic goodness. I liked them all. I agree with “All I know is that I want my children and grandchildren to live in a free society like I did, where they can read what they want, say what they want and live in safety.” The campaign looks like it will get more ugly than we thought. What a mixed-up world we live in. Thank God we have our PF Roundup friends to brighten each week. The peace poems rings a solemn bell!

  8. Sigh…I’m with you, Janice. I cannot fathom that people are actually considering letting this person lead us. Again. And all I can do is lean heavily on Linda’s words and keep searching for peace! I like that you channeled your frustration into a response poem. My post this week came about similarly.

  9. Thank you for all the peace poems–Linda’s and yours. I’ve been thinking we need more balance of expertise on peace than on that other word that I don’t even need to write here. I liked reading all those peace poems together.

    I love the frosted ornaments image in Marcia’s poem too.

  10. I’ve been quite insulated from the election here (and what a treat that is), but I looked up your reference to insulting the dress. Oh my. I love Linda’s peace poem and yours, and I hope and pray and work for peace in our world.

  13. Your post sure runs through a full emotional range! I love the poetry postcards you shared and the underlying beauty of the poetry community. And then…ugh. I’ve been feeling the weight of our country’s situation more and more these days. It is unfathomable to me as well. Your response poem is powerful and resonates.

Comments are closed.