PEACE IS THE WAY

How does one draw the line between just force
And violence to persevere in peace?
Only, I think, by turning to the source
Of love and care may tribulation cease.

Tough love seems sometimes necessary to
Restrain the waywardness of wanderers
And redirect to better ends those who
Are lost, in whom no empathy occurs.

Yet better is to forego any force,
To practice peace and cool non-violence,
Since harmful actions always breed remorse
And cast foes in a posture of defense.

No way to peace but peaceful practices
Say Jesus, Gandhi, King and Joan Baez.

*