Peace Is Made At The Dinner Table

From the divine flame, we are sparks that fly,
Alike more than not, under the vast sky.
Diversity blooms in the gardens of mind,
In colors we wear, and thoughts that we find.

Mirrored ideas, in other's eyes seen,
As half-formed thoughts, in your works are now keen.
The mystery lies not in our varied prayer,
But in common truths that diverse creeds share.

Philosophers ponder, splitting hairs fine,
Seek borders and conflicts to draw a line.
Human rights, survival, a common thread,
In labyrinthian tapestries, quickly spread.

Conflicts arise, from differences sown,
In race, wealth, culture, their seeds overblown.
Yet stories tell, of strong hatreds unmade,
When common foes are together waylaid.

Peace talks falter, from top to ground,
In macro terms, solutions are bound.
But perhaps the answer lies in the meek,
Building bridges, as the human spirit seeks.

For in each encounter, face to face,
We find our humanity, our collective grace.
If we but start small, with the one next door,
Perhaps peace will spread, from shore to shore.

Mick McKellar
June 2024

From a short essay I wrote on October 16, 1995 and shared with Edupage on a daily email weblog (a text precursor to a podcast).

Mick