A Norwegian voice of peace

All people are children when they sleep.
there’s no war in them then.
They open their hands and breathe
in that quiet rhythm heaven has given them.
They pucker their lips like small children
and open their hands halfway,
soldiers and statesmen, servants and masters.
The stars stand guard
and a haze veils the sky,
a few hours when no one will do anybody harm.
If only we could speak to one another then
when our hearts are half-open flowers.
Words like golden bees
would drift in.
— God, teach me the language of sleep.

~ Rolf Jacobsen (Norway, 1907-1994)

This exceptionally timely poem and image were sent out by poet and peace-maker, Ivan Granger, who runs the truly inspirational email list: Poetry Chaikhana. You can receive his daily choices by emailing him ivan@poetry-chaikhana.com or visit the website www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com