Poetry Friday--Peace!

Novelist and poet, Wendell Berry, was recently named the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award winner. His poetry is full of love and respect for the Earth and its creatures as is evident from this poem:

What We Need Is Here

Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye,
clear. What we need is here.

In case you don't know it, the International Day of Peace, a United Nations initiative, is held each year on September 21. This year it is on a Saturday. Playing for Change is partnering with IPD and is celebrating the date as Playing for Change Day. PFC, in turn, is also partnering with the 1Love Project.

Here's a sample of the joyous music Playing for Change uses to promote peace:



The following week, September 28, 2013, is the 100 Thousand Poets For Change annual celebration held in locations around the world!

Imagine a world where people are enjoying and respecting the natural world, playing instruments, singing, writing/reading/performing poetry--wouldn't that be a better place than one mired in conflict? I urge you to take part in all the September 2013 events, but, to strive for peace every day of the year. We lead by example.

A Teaching Life is hosting this week's Poetry Friday Round-Up.