It’s not an idea
As an idea it’s no more powerful than war
It’s not a demonstration
We can carry signs on behalf of other problems
It’s not an admonition
Reproach cannot produce it
It’s not historical
We cannot look back and retrieve it
It’s not human nature, not a natural behavior
Primitive, we would not know it any better
It might be uncertain
It might be an endless pursuit
It might be a state of mind
It might be a journey
It might be pure energy
It might be a dream
Peaceful is not something we are
That we decided once
Or something we do
That is the only route
Like forgiveness
Peace is a practice
Moment to moment
It’s how we choose to be
When the grill won’t start
When the dog keeps barking
When the check bounces
When the train is late
When we are angry
And searching for someone to blame
Cathryn Hankla