Stop, Start, A Way Through

Daily Note

Every day, a photograph, a poem. In my twitter feed today, my friend Terry shared his post on Ukraine where all free people want peace. He makes valid points on the state of things, that worth in human life is everywhere, and that he does not want his children fighting and dying there. As a pacifist, I agree. There are far too many places in our world where war rages, where bullies, greed, and power reign. Another friend, Daniel, wrote a comment there— which I also agree with— that the rich and powerful gain from war as well as from peace. And, if the line is not drawn here, who is next?

The situation is complicated, and I always wonder why war is the answer rather than words. And then the Red Grammer song “Use a Word” pops into my head, a song I played and we discussed in my classroom— even with older middle schoolers.

When someone hurts your pride
And you want to run and hide
Use a word
When someone thinks of you
In a way that isn’t true
Use a word

Everybody’s different
take a look around and see
You’re the only you I know
and I’m the only me
Because we’re all so different
there’ll be times we disagree
But I just want to say my friend
that that’s alright with me

THE RED GRAMMER SONG “USE A WORD”

It reminds me of times when two kids begin lifting their fists, and I step in between, a space between and not touching, to say, “Stop. Use your words.” And helping each find the way through to solve the issue. Listening to the other is not easy; accepting one’s part is not easy; accepting what was and what’s next is not easy; finding and accepting a way through is not easy. But it is the way of peace, peace for each, peace for all.

And so our school practiced the Peace Path, like this one.

When peace is your path, then understanding and justice are found. When this is put into practice, peace is found, and the way of peace brings people together to solve issues.

At first, though, it’s important to stop and breathe. Stop. Stop. Use your words. And that became my poem today— not the specifics of a peace path, but the way of the peace path.

Poetry

Stop, Start, A Way Through

Stop

Hold that anger

Stop

Hold that tension

Stop

Being enemies

Stop

War

Yes, Stop

Look for the beauty

Start

Enjoy the sun

Start

Greet the person

Start

See the likeness

Start

Accept the difference

Start

Use your words

Start

Listen

Start

Use your words

Start

With your heart

Share

What’s in your heart

Start

Listen

Share

What’s in your heart

Start

Listen

Start

Look forward

Start

See the way through

Stay

In the moment

Say

Each, the way through

Stay

Walk together

Stay

This way

Stay

Sheri Edwards
031022 069.365.22
Poetry/Photography

For more info on the writing process, see What Else Start Stop