The Pacifist

They say that keeping first things first,
Will carry us from here through worst
Of what the world can throw our way,
To peace at last, some later day.

When all around the shrapnel flies,
Both friends and foes engage in lies,
The smoke and dust are thick for all,
And power trips us so we fall –

There’s not a lot that we can do
(We’ve sorry state and bleak’s our view),
Except stand back, keeping first things first,
Until the light of dawn can burst.

For burst it will with glorious ray;
It heralds here forthcoming day,
As one day follows on the next –
By light returning we are blessed.

Misunderstandings are the norm
Amidst the soon and coming storm;
Mistakes are made, forgiveness drops
To rarity with rising costs.

Entrenched we get; we lose our place;
The worst in us as human race
Soon rises to be first in line,
To be fulfilled in present time.

For war in us is never far
From surface actions, then like tar
It sucks us in from frivolous,
’Till all becomes ridiculous.

What ends some fights? Some crushing blow
That’s wanted – so that all will know
Whose king of mountaintop, and lest
By parting, those who stay are blessed.

“What if”, the kids once asked their way,
“War was declared – then starting day
Nobody showed – what happens then?”
Let’s try it out – perhaps amend –

The way we get along in life
Together here in peace – leave strife
Behind as silly way to live –
Time’s flowing through like kitchen sieve.

So here, why don’t you play the King?
I’ll scepter, crown, and robe now bring,
So you can have your view of life
From up above – without the strife.

That’s what they did to You, O Lord,
Above Your cross they tacked the words,
“King of the Jews”, with crown of thorns,
(Let others with such thoughts be warned).

“Forgive them for the things they do”,
You said that day, “for if they knew
The things that made for peace, Your way
O Father-God, they soon would say –

“ ‘We’ve goofed – we’ve messed up here, big time;
First things no longer head the line’;
To which I say, ‘Hey, first things first –
I died – rise up above your worst’.”

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