Poem: The Art of No War
“War is what happens when language fails.”
― Margaret Atwood
War is also about human greed and fear. War is when the ‘human’ element fails. Humanity fails. And there is always a price to pay. So why not the ‘art of no war?’
Poem: The Art of No War
If I can tell you the things
that you would never want to hear
that you will disagree so much
Yet, we do it with a smile
And end it with a hug and embrace
there were differences alright
but there was no hatred
it didn’t matter who we were
it didn’t matter what issue it was
we could still hug and smile
at the end of it all
Have that cup of soulful tea
Savoring the differences
Yet cherishing the moment
That is what I could call
‘the art of no war’, my friend.if I treat my neighbors the same
as I wish they had treated me
if I let go and let live
for I don’t own this earth
Both our Gods and scriptures
hold us to a higher standard
to respect the freedom and dignity
the right of others to live
then we sit together
we could still hug and smile
at the end of it all
Have that cup of soulful tea
Savoring the differences
Yet cherishing the moment
That is what I could call
‘the art of no war’, my friend.The art of war is not to fight
But just a simple sitting
If there were no greed
if there was no fear
but only love in our hearts
and open windows for minds
letting the breeze in
listening with empathy
then we sit together
we could still hug and smile
at the end of it all
Have that cup of soulful tea
Savoring the differences
Yet cherishing the moment
That is what I could call
‘the art of no war’, my friend- Ashok Subramanian © 2023
No war, dear friend. No war.
~Ashok Subramanian © 2023
