Peace

By Daniel Johnson

As-salamu alaykum Sholom Aleichem šlām lakh.

Peace. Be. Unto. You.

But what is Peace, actually?

Is it the absence of problems

Or is it something that requires more stoicism?

It looks like the children of terrorists and the children of terror victims passing on retribution

Despite what they’ve been force-fed by exterior influences,

Peace is not passive weakness

Peace is active strength in the face of fierce opposition

Peace is looking the storm in the face and telling it to have peace

Peace is looking the gun in the face

not backing down when your answer is followed by a bullet in the head

Peace is assessing a complicated situation and going after a complicated solution

Peace is choosing not to kill in the name of ideas we hold hallowed

Peace is not what we think it looks like

Peace is not for the passive

Peace is for the bold

Not having problems is no evidence of peace

That’s when it’s easy to be at peace

It’s easy to say you’re at peace when all is well

But when you’re walking through Hell

and you don’t know how deep the valley is

That’s where you find peace at

Peace is not found on the mountaintop

that’s just the relief that you made it

You find peace on your way up the cliffs

You find peace wandering in the darkness

But peace is sought

Peace is not a reward for those who do not fight for it

Peace is not for the passive

Peace is fought for in your soul

and won after much war in your soul

Peace is not for the passive

wa alaykum as-salaam, aleichiem shalom,lakh šlām

To You Be Peace.

 

Daniel Johnson is a published poet from Huntsville, TX who enjoys reading, writing and visiting the occasional art gallery and museum. He is currently attending Sam Houston State University in pursuit of an English degree while also writing for two small faith-based magazines.