And So We Must Remember (peace poem)

And So We Must Remember

My little boy wandered up to me
And asked to go for a walk,
And while we strolled hand in hand,
He asked me if we could talk.

He asked me what Remembrance meant
On this day we celebrate;
That at school they’d marched, had two minutes of silence,
But that he just couldn’t relate.

And so I told him about his grandfather,
How he’d flown in WWII
Over skies of Burma and of Britain,
In DC3 cargo planes he flew.

And his grandmother was a young woman then,
In fact only just a teen
When the Nazis occupied her starving country,
Where a land of plenty once had been.

I told him about a boy I knew
Who now was bent with age,
Who had lived in Arnhem during the war,
And now helped veterans, his thanks to repay.

“Why do people fight like that;
Don’t they know ‘bout love an’ peace?”
My worried son looked up at me
Expecting sane release.

And as I stared into his eyes
Filled with a hopeful sign of reprieve,
I found myself watching a mirrored gaze:
I was looking back at me…

“I think people who disagree
Need a time out in the corner
To think about what they have done
And remember about love and honor.

It doesn’t matter what color a skin is,
Or where they live or what they impart;
I know each one has a heart of love
If we could just show it from the start.

And if they could talk to their mommy
The way I can talk to you,
I bet they wouldn’t be mad for long I think,
Cause the love would flow right through!”

I stopped and knelt beside this child
So wise beyond his years
And whispered a prayer of gratitude
And a request to allay his fears.

I clutched his little hand in mine
As I hugged him to my breast.
Vowing to continue the work for peace
And vowing to do my best.

What can I do to bring peace to the world
When it just seems to be so crazy?
Just do what I can to make a difference;
And ignore the indifferent and the lazy.

So join hands with those who feel like you
Whose desire for peace is strong,
And always remember those who fought for freedom
And tried to right the wrong.

Copyright Corry Roach

Corry Roach’s website, www.ByGraceofMourning.ca offers personal and professional insight and education into the grief journey for those who mourn, from professionals to the bereaved and all who love them. Although the main focus is bereavement, loss of loved ones (or parts of ourselves) to terminal illness, dementia, aging, divorce/relationships/addictions are also discussed, as well as how to offer support. Grief resolution within ourselves is imperative, enriching our lives with personal empowerment as we work toward a life of spiritual meaning and inner peace.