Recipe for Peace

lead the men, every one of us

by the hand

from our cells

our precious boardrooms and barrooms

banks, bunkers, and bombshelters

tiptoe into the bedrooms

of our sleeping children

let us see their soft

round faces in the glow 

of a nightlight, or flicker of a candle

stand with us

for a heartbeat

let go of the hand

allow us to cover

the sleeping child with

a soft blanket, adjust the pillow

pick the fallen stuffed whale

or bunny or bear from the floor

and slip it in the hollow

between blanket, pillow, and bed

allow for one last look

guide us from the room

leave the door cracked

and then ask us to explain again

this war, the last, 

and the one on the horizon

ask us once again 

and if we have no answer

take our hand tomorrow night

and repeat