Proclamation - Kim Stafford

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.