WE ARE WAITING FOR PEACE TO BREAK OUT

 

--for Marvin Simmons

 

We are waiting for peace to break out

We are waiting for flowers to bloom

We are waiting for the moon to come

from behind the black clouds of war

We are waiting for the light

We are awaiting

and as we wait we sing songs of celebration

We are waiting

and as we wait we hold out our hands in love and friendship:

white hands extended in friendship to black hands

and brown and green hands of the earth

We are waiting

and while we wait we applaud those who have gone before us

preaching peace: all the Martin Luther Kings, all the Gandhis

We are waiting for peace to break out

and as we wait we dance: we dance with the cold east wind

with the creaking singing branches of giant firs

we dance with the devils

of dust and the angels of clouds

We are waiting

and as we wait we are learning the language

of burning roses and the sunflowers slowly turning toward the sun

We are waiting for peace to break out

and while we wait we are learning to listen

to cries for mercy and cries for help

though we may not know the language

We are learning to listen for the arrival of doves

We are waiting for peace to break out

and while we wait we are smiling at you

at all of you--at the you and me in the mirror...

We are waiting for peace to break out

We are waiting for buds to pop though it is deep winter

We wait for peace as patiently as the drop of water

on the lips at the mouth of the fountain

We wait knowing the water of peace is cool and sweet

sure that the crystal drop will fall on the earth

in spite of any of man’s evil actions--

 

                     --Carlos Reyes