Waging Peace It begins —

As a small infant,

When your sobbing Mother picks you up,

out of your crib,

And holds you close to her chest,

Baptizing you in her tears, saying,

“This is no legacy to leave to you, my child.”

It begins —

As a young toddler,

When your parents are arguing,

And you crawl up on your mommy’s lap,

Wrap your little arms around her neck, saying,

“Don’t cry, Mommy.” It begins —

As a pre-schooler,

When you come between the neighborhood bully

And his victim, your best friend/playmate.

And you get your nose bloodied,

Inadvertedly, in the confrontation, saying,

“I’ll be alright.”

It begins —

As an elementary school student,

When on the playground you mediate the conflicts

Over choosing sides for the baseball game at recess.

Empathetically, knowing how hurtful it is

To be chosen last for either team, saying,

“I’ll watch and cheer for both sides.”

It begins —

As a middle school student,

When on the school bus,

You stick up for the kids who’s “different”

And you wrap your arm around his shoulder, saying,

“I’ll be your friend .. all ‘ya need is one!”

It begins –—

As a high school student,

When your grandfather’s generation

Declares a “political war,” sending in “advisors.”

And you remain active making posters saying,

“War is unhealthy for children and other living things!”

It begins —

When you have your own children

And you teach them right from wrong.

To stand up and to speak out

When they learn of or witness examples

Of “man’s inhumanity to man.”

Teaching your children to separate

The deed from the doer.

It ends —

When you take your last breath —

Waging peace is a diffi- cult path to follow —

But, a necessary one, if mankind is to survive.

There are worse eulogies than

being called a “peace monger!”

By Linda Amos