By Randall Stephen Hall
.
How is it we don’t have the words?
We don’t have the words anymore.
Or the vision to create any peace
Anywhere, in the world, these days ?
Where have the peace makers gone?
Or do they rarely reach the micro-phone?
Never make it to the platform.
Never to be seen on TV.
Where have they gone?
Where have they gone you see?
The innocent and naieve
Are criticised for having
These non aggressive qualities.
Don’t You see?
Don’t You see?
We are free to be shackled to our phones.
Free to rant on social media.
Free to be chained to ridiculous dogmas
Dressed up as democracy.
Or even wave “legitimate concerns”
In our faces.
But we are not free to envision peace.
Are we capable of gathering
On the streets for peace
Without waving some bloody flag?
Without waving some nationalist
Or rough edged emperial cause
Like taking a saw to the wood of the sky?
Why oh why oh why?
Why oh why oh why?
Where have the visionaries gone?
Are they extinct or on holiday?
Do they just not make them any more?
Can we only make phones these days?
And the flat horizons
Of tablets and screens?
Why can’t we just get along?
Locally, Nationally and globally?
I’m looking for a nobody
To be a somebody, politically
Someone new
To shake us out of our slumbers.
RSH.
Born in Belfast 1957. I grew up in Northern Ireland, enmeshed in at least three toxic political ideologies, never mind the denominational dogmas adding to the mix. Where everyone took, and still take, “the soup”. Compromising themselves by their simplistic brand awareness and complacent electoral choices. (Even the middle classes!)
Don’t worry, that was only a joke. Surely we live in an egalitarian era of peace and equality? (Aye right big lad . . .)
I watch the T.V. regularly, amazed at
how intellectually small and uncharismstic our politicians have become
Boy’s a dear Ah now . . .
RSH.
A Northern Irish Artist.
John and Yoko said it years ago, Give Peace A Chance. Problem is some leaders are bastards (Israel, Gaza, Putin, ) Look at the Balkans a few years ago, people ruthlessly killing unarmed civilians. We know from experience how war can blind people to the suffering of their enemies. To be fair we did eventually work out the peace agreement but when war starts it is natural to support your side.