Proclamation

 

Whereas the world is a house on fire;

Whereas the nations are filled with shouting;

Whereas hope seems small, sometimes

    a single bird on a wire

    left by migration behind.

Whereas kindness is seldom in the news

    and peace an abstraction

    while war is real;

Whereas words are all I have;

Whereas my life is short;

Whereas I am afraid;

Whereas I am free – despite all

    fire and anger and  fear;

Be it therefore resolved a song

    shall be my calling – a song

    not yet made shall be vocation

    and peaceful words the work

    of my remaining days.

 (c)  Kim Stafford

Begin a poem with the word Whereas. Repeat the word Whereas at least eight times. See where it leads you.
As you look around at the state of the world, how do you feel called to respond? What will be the work of your remaining days?
Write a poem or prose piece that explores the meaning of “peaceful words.”  What have you discovered?

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