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 alone in the dark
with the murmur of madmen and lies?

If a man cries for peace and names Allah 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— Everyone with peace in their hearts!

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

 

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