If a man whispers peace in a field for the dead

If a man whispers peace in a field for the dead
will he be heard or will it be said
that the voice of one man is a lie?

If a man calls out peace from a box in a park
will he be heard or left lone in the dark
with the murmur of madmen and lies?

If a man cries for peace and names Allah or Yahweh or Christ
will he be heard or were they sacrificed
under flag? under bomb? under fire?

If a man offers peace with peace in his heart
will he be heard? Is that how it starts?
Someone— Anyone with peace in their hearts—

Will we be heard? Is THIS where it starts?
If we fail, my dear friends, who will live?
      The War-Men have no peace to give.

 

Published in: “souls arriving” 2006: as version “If…”