Peace

This poem is a white dove.
This poem is a peace flag.
This poem is an olive branch.

Oh, but this poem is not dreaming
of breaking bread with the enemy.
of keeping the gates open at night.
of drinking around a campfire,
singing in two languages (or three).
This poem does not believe in miracles.

This poem sets the bar low.
It asks that we put down arms.
That we put away uniforms.
That we still frown but smile sometimes.
That if we cross each other’s path,
we nod, give way, maybe even
shake hands one day.

This poem is a flag tied to the olive tree.
This poem is a dove perched on an olive branch.
A single strike can incinerate all three.
This poem burns
and becomes white ash.
Under the blazing April sky
it looks incongruous.
Like snow that
no longer
has the strength
to melt.

(Credit: MS AI Image generator)
***
#Napowrimo #Glopowrimo
#WriteRight
#April2024 3/30

Also linked to Mary’s prompt at What’s going on: Miracle

36 thoughts on “Peace

  1. “This poem is a dove perched on an olive branch.’…the whole world is waiting to see this. The end is chilling, Rajani. I love how this Boomerang Metaphor form holds the content. Brilliant, as always.

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  2. This is a fascinating piece. Hard hitting and i love the line “This poem is a flag tied to the olive tree.” Perhaps that is what is needed. Well done.

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  3. Rajani, your pen is white hot. This poem will live in my heart for a long while. It is our best, most realistic hope at this point: just stopping the bombs would be a great start.

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  4. Really a good poem. There is nothing that I can single out as being particularly moving to me, as the entirety of the poem is moving. The last stanza though — oh, so powerful. Your poetry is amazing.

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      1. Peace would indeed be a miracle, Rajani.
        I am hoping you will add a link to our miracle prompt at “What’s Going On?” to your piece. Thank you.

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  5. “A single strike can incinerate all three.” The miracle, I think, would be if that does not happen. But “This poem doesn’t believe in miracles.” And when it comes to war and peace, I cannot think of any.

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