Peace Quilt

written for the Mothers of Peace Quilting Project (now Women to Women for Peace)

Let’s weave the world together in a quilt:
stories, songs and legends
sewn in flowing coloured shapes
spilt upon each other.  No borders,
no sharp edges, just looping stitches
dancing to each patch of universal
earth and sky, stars and moon.
Sunny rainbows arc across the sea, catch
spirit colours of love and peace.
          Soon, please, soon.

Let’s weave the world together in a quilt,
stitch side by side.  Soldier!
drop your gun, business man your jacket,
acrobat your stilts.  Dancers, doctors
cleaners, fill homespun clouds
with lazy daisy languages, words 
that settle where they may.  Tell stories,
sing, smooth out each other’s pain,
sew birds atop of bells that ring
for joy and peace.
          Ring, please, ring.

Let’s weave the world together in a quilt.
We’ll fill the cover
with all our dreams, stuff its corners
tight with peace.  And when it’s built
we’ll all climb in within its seams,
touch toes and laugh, give love away
and understand.  Like little children,
sleep beneath the fleece of love and safety.
Holding hands
we’ll share its web of life and peace.
          Peace, please, peace.