For my friend Jamie, for whom I have much admiration and love across the great divide.
I hate war
there is
no greater evil
everything in war
hurts
it hurts everyone
death is the
responsibility of many
on either side
but if you are
the stronger
you must see
not with one eye
you must see
with two eyes
protect yourself
through seeing
with your right eye
protect the innocent
by seeing
with your left eye
oh Israel open
your left eye
and see
you must protect
all of the children
not just your own
that will be the
only way to
protect your own
Israel my great
passion I love
you
but I must
ask myself for the
sake of my friend
you are my friend
knowing you across
the great divide
I know that
you too suffer
and I ask myself
what about your
friend your friend
in Gaza
your friend suffers
your friend may be
lost in the war
of the powerful
how can I wish
your friend well
when I cannot see
the Palestinian
minority
how can I pray
for your friend
whom I cannot see
I must first
open my left eye
to see to pray
peace cannot
come to one for
it will not be peace
peace can only come
to both sides or
it is not peace
war kills so many
more innocent
than guilty
somehow the guilty
seem too often
to escape war’s pain
there is too
much rhetoric
around the world
too much noise
being fueled by
too much opinion
turn your opinions
into prayers
for both sides
pray for peace for
both sides or it
will not be peace
yes today I will
pray for peace
peace for the children
peace for the women
peace for the old
peace for the young
God bring peace today
make a peaceful
cease fire to last
today I have two eyes
I can see from both
let peace reign in Israel
noh where 
A poignant verse.
So well said! When will we (or Israel) ever learn? I’d like to contact you when I’m in St. Louis next week….
Ken
Great! Do you have my phone and or email? When next week?
My friend, this is beautiful and says exactly what I feel. Especially “turn your opinions into prayers
for both sides pray for peace for both sides or it will not be peace” and seeing with both eyes. The only way for peace is for the bombs and guns to stop. Both sides. Just no more death would be a beginning.
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly! Peace for all, and safety for everyone’s children.
some solid wisdom in this…peace can not come for one…it must come for all…peace is not about winners and losers…
“Pray for peace for both sides”…yes, or it won’t truly be peace. I like “turn your opinions into prayers”…a wonderful offering…very touching.
I totally agree with you, Liz. We have stronger expectations for the stronger side, precisely because it is stronger. And both sides should accept that peace is also about compromise.
Liz I cannot agree more.. At one point too many children are dead.. Let remove the xenophobia and macho honor from the agenda and move on.
A strong and heartfelt plea.
Thank you, Liz, I am touched beyond words and more than a bit teary eyed. Peace. It’s a decision.
Love,
J.
Glad you saw it Jamie – hugs!