Can I call you brother:
You who harbor pain and revenge
You in parliament who scream aye
in favor of your gun-boys and their death-kit
You who are quick to think up evil
like a smart chess move?
Gift me with Angelica
for in a dying world,
even the brightest of stars
lose their shine
Let me grow among
the Passion Flowers,
to seek faith in a whole new way
And of the olive,
I yearn to be a branch
Maybe its trunk
to wear peace like a cloak
Brother, it’s of the same mother
from whose breasts we’ve suckled
On whose loving laps we found our names
Why then the bloodshed that shames
the womb and brings burning tears
to the eyes?
War counts casualties
But peace
is a harvest of people united
I stand for peace
I fight for peace
Come join me, brother.
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Beautiful Uzoma… may they all join you – us. We can but hope 🙂
I say YES to that! I’ve been disturbed lately by the threats of wars here in my country and in the west. It saddens me so much because we are all humans. There are no “aliens” in our midst. But then, we can only hope–like you rightly put it–that the days ahead will be peaceful. Thank, Heidi, for coming around.
So awesomely beautiful Uzoma, your heart shines through your words as the bright morningstar! I am so delighted to be a brother to the pen that brings such beauty! God bless!
Thank you so much, my good brother. The Lord inspires his people to do great things (and you are no exception to that). May His light shine upon you and your family everyday.
Such a perfectly written statement for peace – you really should get it published! The images are strong, the rhythm touching.
Thanks a million, Sky. I remember you also posted a couple of articles about this theme on your blog. I admit they partly inspired me. I definitely would like to get this and some of my other poems published in the near future.
Your assurance and encouragement are gifts beyond words.
Beautiful and powerful poem, Uzoma, steadily and surely beating the drum for peace. I agree with feminineocean: I hope you will seek broader publication of this inspiring work. Sending much peace energy to you. Shine on.
Oh thank you soooo much Sirena! Of course, I intend to publish it someday. But what’s most important to me are the people who get to read it; people like you! Thanks for bringing that positive vibe to me today.
Beautiful expression for peace.
Thanks, Darlene!
I often think of terrible people and killers and how they were once innocent children.
Me too. It’s just that in every human being there is equal capacity for good and evil. What we are is a function of our upbringing and our desire to seek wisdom.
Great feelings and thoughts Uzo! you really create a flag of peace here to let it flutter in the free air of this world. An urge to walk forth for peace. Loved this Uzo!
Yes, yes, Sister Soumyav! I want that flag to fly on…forever. I’m so glad you echo these words and proudly too.
Superb post.,precious peace l hope it will become reality one day soon.Thank you for liking my post and for your kind remarks.Blessings.jalal
I say the same prayer too, Jalal. Peace opens the door to prosperity.
Again, your post was worth the while. Thanks for reading mine.
If only peace might follow.
…and the world surely will be a better place. Thanks, Sheri 🙂
Lovely post! The last stanza is so powerful “Peace is a harvest of people united.” Beautiful.
Coincidentally that’s the part I care about the most–it carries the message. Thank, Jodi.
Lovely. Thanks for sharing. I loved it.
You’re welcome 🙂
I love your words, love your message. Thank you for being a light for the world.
Just in the same way as you are…The world needs peace. It’s one of my big wishes. Thanks for commenting, Mary.
I love the way you can bring different elements and images harmoniously together.
Glad you enjoyed it, Lena. Being inspired to write is a good thing 🙂
Powerful
Thanks, Michele.
I am sorry for the late response, but this is a beautiful poem. Loved the line “Let me grow among the Passion Flowers, to seek faith in a whole new way.”
Aw, you don’t need to feel that way. Not at all–I understand we all are busy people and at times the things we love to do tend to slip past.
Oh yes! Passion Flowers…before I wrote that verse, I looked up it’s significance and then found out that it symbolizes faith. It’s wonderful, really.
Thank you, Uzoma, for a poem which touches my heart and shares with us a peace seeking moment.
You’re welcome my good friend. Glad you enjoyed the read. Peace is what we all need–it renews our world each day 🙂
You write so profoundly while remaining eloquent! Like being stuck on a gerbil wheel, history seems to repeat itself, sadly — again and again and again… Thanks for painting such tangibly vivid hope with your words!
With a heart of sincere gratitude and respect, I acknowledge the power of your comment and visits. It’s so true that this bitterness and rivalry have existed for aeons now. It also bugs my mind that this may not stop…All we have to do is hope and pray. Blessing be, LL.
To the call for peace we shall answer,
To your voice, we shall heed.
Great piece of poetry.
Phil
Good, good. Let’s go ahead and fight for peace, my fellow comrade.
Also, I nominated you for a blogger award 🙂
From the heart Uzoma… your words are torn from your soul. I love this poem. Measured and a mirror in the true sense.
‘And of the olive,
I yearn to be a branch
Maybe its trunk
to wear peace like the sky…’
This one is a prayer we all join in.
Oh that’s so true–words flow out of us (poets and writers alike) when we are touched by life circumstances. About the ‘olive’ verse: someone once told me that a visitor/strange who hands you a branch of olive is a peace-loving and meek person. Thanks for your comment, MJ.
Nice poem, Uzoma. I love your message of peace. I hope we all find it someday!
Thanks, bro. You’ve been very supportive. I also pray the world finds peace.
I stand by you bro! It’s all a game for some, the cries, the tears, the pain, it all amounts to noise for them. So empty by their blood lusts or greed or worse boredom, they wreck havoc in our lives and remain unrepentant. Sad, how low our race has fallen and worse that the majority of us just tut and sigh, going about our lives. When will we rise? When will these people be held accountable? When will the hand that picks up the gun lay it finally to rest?
And I welcome you with open arms. Your questions are pertinent especially as there are wars and threats of wars going on here and there. I especially love this: “When will the hand that picks up the gun lay it finally to rest?” Can I add it as an intro to this post?
Thank you so much for being a light in this world. And may you live long. Amen.
You honour me greatly! I salute your nobel spirit brother! Always a pleasure to be of service to truth and justice! God bless
Wonderful writing, Uzo. Thank you for standing for peace in a world of war, dear friend.
Yeah, what we all pray for is the shower of peace to wash away all thoughts of vengeance and war. Thanks for coming around, bro.
Stunning poem! I’ll join you my brother for peace!
Yes-yes-yes! Together we’ll kick back all those forces of evil that give rise to hatred and conflict. I dearly appreciate your thoughts on this one! 🙂
This prayer, this poem, is so beautiful! You have such a wonderful heart. I too will join you for peace!
That’s great! Thanks a million, Whitney! It’s a fight everyone needs to stand for 🙂
What can I say that hasn’t already been said . This was a beautiful heartfelt poem. I stand in peace with you Brother!
Beautiful.
Aw, thanks a lot 🙂
What beautiful words, and so clearly from the heart.
I believe you have a rare talent, Uzoma.
Cheers! 🙂
Aw, thank you so much, Sir. It’s a pleasure to have you here 🙂
This lists some powerful thoughts and actions. I also like the way you wish for harmony and peace across the world. I like stars and the moon because we are all blessed to see these, and those who cannot see them, hear about their shining into the darkness.
Your comment is spot on and your insightful interpretation of the moon and stars adds more meaning to the theme of this poem. We all need peace; we can’t do without it.
For light to shine, the darkness must die!
The two cannot agree. Even if they be of the same source. Nice piece on peace!
You speak with deep wisdom. Peace on peace, my brother.