I made a resolution
to find a remedy for war,
to consult with all the experts,
to knock on every door,
and beg from them a remedy,
demand from them a remedy
for the killing and the dying,
the grieving and the crying.
First I asked a politician
wrapped tight in the flag.
He claimed we need a bigger stick
to beat the dangerous back.
Strength's the only remedy
understood by the enemy;
bomb the bastards - done!
Bomb the bastards till we've won.
The old general was reluctant
to agree or disagree.
He said he's just an instrument,
a sword another swings.
But he's seen death - no remedy.
He's ordered death - no remedy.
Now his eyes are haunted
by ghosts he never wanted.
Still there was this crazy name
all the leaders threw around,
and desperate for an answer,
I finally tracked it down.
Turns out Jesus was a hippie freak
who taught to turn the other cheek,
who taught the only remedy
for war
is peace.
For Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Courage
20 comments:
How I adore this. I love your longer than usual poem, and the wonderful lilt and rhyme of it. LOVE the topic - and its solution. It boggles my mind how they think bombing the shit out of people will ever bring peace. Argh. Great write, MZ. Love it!
This is tight, girl.
I especially like how you spaced the ending, drawing out the re-me-die in remedy, and the raw in war.
I think "me can die" a bazillion times (thank goodness) ... to self, you know what I mean? Be born again, repentant, recreated, what-have-you. And I think "me" can only do it for a hippie freak. It's the only kind of Jesus who I think would take me, definitely the only kind of God I could serve/worship. I'm just so crappy at it.
And plus, you're still super hot. :P
Whew, do I ever like the message in this poem, MZ! I found the third stanza so very very strong. Yup, 'an instrument, a sword another swings.' Isn't that the truth! And yes, I wonder if they are ever haunted now or if it is all in a day's work. And the strongest of all is the final stanza~oh that we could really find and live that peace!
And that's the truth.
It always troubles me that peace-keepers carry weapons.
Thank you, MZ!! No one says it better or with as much truth and that is indeed THe Truth!!
Love the rhythmic flow and yes the fact that its longer than usual :D
Powerfully expressed!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Yes, some ailments only have one cure. Your poem is so sharp, truthful. Love it.
Keepers of peace hold the greatest powers of all love and hope. Love the flow and message in this Mama Zen!!
Christian ethic is unsurpassed as the best way to live,i.e peaceably, with each other. Sadly too few Christians seem to be able to practise it
and the term 'Christianity 'has become synonymous with hypocrisy.It is far removed from the life of the carpenter.
You rocked this! I love these:
"Now his eyes are haunted
by ghosts he never wanted"
and your unexpected closing.
Right on indeed.
Thank you, MZ!
The hippie way takes a lot of courage--you got to break with the pattern, the rhyme and the crime. It's the only remedy. You NAILED IT!
What a wonderfully composed (in many ways) poem - and I love Jesus as a hippie freak - peace is indeed the answer to many wars and conflicts..
I believe Rallentanda is right on with her comment about the carpenter.
True.
So true...poet's voice is another remedy.
Peace does take heaps of courage. You define Jesus well here, some people ignore this particular Jesus...the brave peaceful Jesus.
You've written beautifully about the most important courage, the courage to establish world peace!
finely done, MZ ~
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