IFLAC gave its strong support to the:
1st INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF
PEACE POETRY
(Paris, 19 - 23 September 2007)
Please
Consult sites:
Paris Festival
http://poetesaparis.blogspot.com
The Festival was organized by Parisian poet Yvan Tetelbom.
From the Desk of
Professor Ada Aharoni from Israel
In my following 2 poems: "I Want To Kill You, War," and “Peace Mothers We
Know," that treat a similar subject, I have tried to describe what I see is really
happening nowadays in our poor blue planet!
We have to be able to see our planet as it really is, to be able to make it better:
I Want to Kill You War
I want to kill you war, forever,
not like a phoenix, that always comes back!
I want to kill you war and I don't know how!
And I don't know why all the people of the world
don't join hands to kill you war…,
You the greatest killer of them all!
The governors of the world
go on feeding your fat belly
with fresh soldiers and nuclear arms.
With blurring eyes they only know how to hang
the murderers of the one or the two but not you…,
You the greatest murderer of them all.
After the carnage the priest said:
"We are all responsible."
After the carnage the Sheikh said:
"We all remain brothers."
After the carnage the Rabbi said:
"We can stop it if we choose."
The priest and the sheikh and the Rabbi
Raise up their hands and look up to the sky!
The peace marchers take hold of the slab of marble
On which is inscribed: "We want to live not die"
and carry it away under the whizzing bullets
like a corpse, but still warm, still alive,
ready to build with it a harmonious,
new culture of peace in a world of love.
Peace Mothers We Know
"We can best help
you to prevent war not by repeating your words and following your methods but
by finding new words and creating new methods."
Virginia Woolf , Three Guineas
Mothers you know, a long time ago
have been wisely decreed
by diverse human creeds and needs -
goddesses of peace-in-the-home,
lavishly giving life, love and healing
through their wombs and life-blood.
And they have been quite successful
those cosy peace-in-the-home mothers,
closely guarding us with their wisdom,
their tender words and watchful eyes.
Surely safer than in a Nuclear War
or in a new World War, or just a tiny war.
So what about making mothers
the guardians of peace on earth?
Surely we wouldn't be so much worse?
And they are so available those mothers -
you can even find them in enemy land.
Look at the terrible mess they have
made of our blue planet, mother,
you are the only one who can save us now,
the only one who really knows
how to protect your fearful children
weeping over their violent ailing world,
the only one who can heal it now, mother,
cradling it in your warm, loving arms.
With love and best peace wishes to all,
Professor Ada Aharoni, IFLAC Founder – President