. . . since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men . . . that the defences of peace must be constructed ....
(from Appendix A of the Constitution of UNESCO)
Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:26, 27)
After the falling skies, the tongue's tumults,
the grave injustices, the travesties—
stalks the irony that would equate
the honorable with a thing of hate.
Uncompromised,
we stand our ground but find
no listening ear, we stand
bruised but uncrushed in the sunless air.
How could we be free
to turn away when we cannot forget
the violent are loved—like us have names,
like us, have mothers, memories, homes, dreams . . . ?
After so much, so much is left
unsaid, undone.
We search for what remains negotiable.
