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BUILDING PEACE

We had this little open outdoor space at our cabin…and every time we walked by it…
We tried to think of different ways…that we could beautify it.

Then the other day as we stood on our porch the two us became aware
of a ton of stones in another part of the yard no longer needed there

The idea blossomed to take those stones from their resting place
and move them in an artful way to fill that open space.

There was a minor problem…one I quickly came to understand…
the only way to get those stone from one place to the other…was to move them all by hand.

My hands to be exact…and in order to be able to make the little climb
I discovered I could only move 1- 5 stones at at time.

But that seemed a small price to pay…although the journey would be hard
to beautify that spot…to bring some artwork to the yard.

So I would lug 1- 5 stones at a time…and place them…with Deborah as my mentor…
(It was her wonderful idea to create a peace sign in the center).

For a couple hours (maybe more…I lost track of time)…my body tired…
but my fortitude never ceased
and when we were all finished we had a beautiful symbol of peace.

And I thought while I was grunting, groaning and sweating…
as the birds and squirrels around me whispered to each other and smirked…
how making peace from a ton of stones by hand…is a lot of work.

And I was reminded of something people have learned…in every country…in every land…
how making peace around the world…is a lot like moving a ton of stones by hand.

How you have to move one stone at a time…turn one enemy into one friend 
and how peace, though never easy…is worth it in the end.

But in this country and the world rather than using our hands build peace with our stones…
we throw them at one another instead….
and in the end we destroy buildings, hospitals, churches, families…leaving many people dead.

I wish there was a way to stop the source(s) from where all our stone-throwing stems…
because I fear if we can’t find a way to build peace with our stones…
we’ll end up buried under them

Copyright © Jim Yerman | Year Posted 2025

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