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Peace of Heart

"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." ~Albert Einstein 

Let Us Have Peace

by Nancy Byrd Turner

(1880-1971) 

The earth is weary of our foolish wars.

Her hills and shores were shaped for lovely things,

Yet all our years are spent in bickerings

        Beneath the astonished stars. 

April by April laden with beauty comes,

Autumn by Autumn turns our toil to gain,

But hand at sword-hilt, still we start and strain

        To catch the beat of drums. 

Knowledge to knowledge adding, skill to skill,

We strive for others' good as for our own--

And then, like cavemen snarling with a bone,

        We turn and rend and kill... 

With life so fair, and all too short a lease

Upon our special star! Nay, love and trust,

Not hate and violence shall redeem our dust.

        Let us have peace! 


This poem is in the public domain.

Nancy Byrd Turner was born in Virginia, USA; a descendant of both Thomas Jefferson and Pocohantas. Nancy began writing poetry as a child and had a fulfilling career as a teacher, editor, author, freelance writer, and popular lecturer.


Despite the differences that exist between political, cultural, religious, or national values, we all share the common need for a healthy, clean, sustainable global environment.

Photos were taken in Maryland, USA.

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