Let there be peace but not at any price

so games of chance,  rolls of the dice

do not disdainfully dictate like all the rest

that some should rule, some be repressed.

Let lives be counted for their proper worth;

let no human being brought to birth

be sacrificed in vain for wounded pride.

Let not a single man, who died

in conflict, be dismissed as second-rate.

Even the enemy deserves a better fate

than mere obliteration; it's a fact.

Let politicians show a bit of tact

when they, too quick to blame the other

for the mess, forget their brother

man; for they should have the grace

to recognise each member of the human race

is just like them, so fallible and weak.

Instead of being rash, they should be meek,

try to say sorry and apologise

when they make a mistake and not tell lies,

for they are not such fools who seek for us to show

some understanding for their faults. They know

within their beings that it is the wise

who know their limits, recognise

the times when they must take the blame.

They must know they're not in it for the fame

but that they're there to serve, part of the plan

that asks the powerful to do what they can

to help the poor, the victim and the underclass.

They must not let the sacred moment pass

when they can stand for good and not for bad;

then peace may come, peace may be had

by all, regardless of their various views

yet peace does not make headlines and the news

of evil that men do just seems to dominate.

Why can't they realise it's not too late

to change their minds and act for peace

so all may live together, wars may cease

if tolerance could rule, instead of fear

and though this time of peace seems not too near,

let all of us determine that one day

peace will conquer war and peace will stay.