“Peace Begins With Me”

It’s sad my friends, for me to see…
How we agree not to be set free.
We choose a path of pain and grief,
When all we need to feel relief…

Forgiveness of oneself,
Will mirror your brother’s blunder.
For judgment never ceases,
Until you end the thunder.

So why react to hate?
When once you took the bait,
Or get real mad and blame,
When once you’ve done the same.

Why can’t we understand?
We hurt our fellow man,
When we refuse to see,
That peace begins with me.

Hate, guns and fright,
Will never end our plight,
To have eternal light,
We must have open sight.

We all have inner courage
To face all of our fears
Bravery and determination
Will end all of our tears!

Jennifer Dougherty
February 19, 2000