Creating Peace by Tom Milne

Creating Peace

 

When I pray for peace,

Usually I’m thinking at the global level,

Thinking of children dying,

Victims of adult conflicts.

 

Why can’t people just get along, I ask.

Why do cultures try to exterminate others

Because of differences in religious beliefs,

Or long-standing offenses?

 

But violence isn’t restricted to the global level,

I add to this soliloquy.

Right here in my city and state

We have domestic violence, violent crime.

 

One perspective is to play the Blame-Game.

It’s caused by those people who have guns,

Or results from bad parenting,

Or is the outcome of not staying in school.

 

And then I realize that I’m part of the problem!

Just look at my reactions to perceived affronts:

Flipping off the driver who just cut me off.

Snapping at the unwanted sales call on the phone.

 

On virtually every level of my life

I have a way of letting the other person know

When they’ve crossed the line

And bruised my feelings,

 

Each imagined affront I return

Has an impact on her or his day,

And often gets retransmitted to their next offender.

Ultimately, my reactions make it to the global level.

 

So, if our planet is ever going to enjoy a sustained peace,

I believe it must first begin at home

With me changing “my picture”

And not allowing my frail ego any purchase.

 

 

 

October 1, 2016

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About the author

Webb Hubbell is the former Associate Attorney General of The United States. His novels, When Men Betray, Ginger Snaps, A Game of Inches, The Eighteenth Green, and The East End are published by Beaufort Books and are available online or at your local bookstore. When Men Betray won one of the IndieFab awards for best novel in 2014. Ginger Snaps and The Eighteenth Green won the IPPY Awards Gold Medal for best suspense/thriller. His latest, “Light of Day” will be on the bookstands soon.