August 1914: In Witness. Speak for Peace

Friends,

A moment to remember WWI. In the darkness of the wars in the Middle East, the insane invasion of Gaza, and the random madness and
war, we send this prayer for peace.

In whatever way we can speak out for peace in our lives, in our communities,
and yes speaking out against the estimate $1 trillion dollar US Military budget. 

 Last week, Zoe and I were at Universal peace day in NYC. It was
beautiful to perform the poem PALESTINE that said, “Peace, shaalom,
saalam” as over 50 flags of Israel and Palestine were knotted together
and raised high as a prayer for peace.

In this  poem, remember this day of August, and speak for peace. Every voice for peace matters.

in the journey for peace,
Namaya & Zoe
and the B4 Peace Team

August 14, 1914
IN WITNESS 
 
my soul screams
at the memory
100 years ago
the beginning of WWI
 
An insanity
that would drown
the world in blood
and tears
 
humanity should
be shamed by
this slaughter
 
humanity should
be so shamed by
this memory of hate
to never wage
war again.
 
despite the
millions killed,
millions maimed,
it whetted our
lust for more
 
37 million soldiers
men
women
children
37 million.
 
it should be
branded in our souls
searing into every pore
of our being
 
this madness of war,
made by the rich to
serve the rich, and
fought by the
average working man.
 
But this war fought
one hundred years ago
the first industrialized war
is largely forgotten
 
Largely forgotten in
the genocides, holocausts,
wars, and insanity in
the ensuing years
 
War should shame us,
open our souls to
contrition and remorse.
to oppose all wars
 
How do we break
this bondage to
our soul shaming
insanity of war?
 
How do we own
redemption and
the possibility
of love?
 
Though it should be
about our love
for the other, at the
least love ourselves.
 
At the least, love
our children, and
grandchildren
at the least.
 
Today, this anniversary
of WWI 14 August 2014
 
This day that should
burn with shame, let it
burn bright as a light
and witness.
 
Let it witness our
deepest aspiration
of humanness…
 
no war
no killing

peace.

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