My Mother's Peace

I used to write poetry. But as a singer/songwriter, whenever I sit down with a poem idea in mind now, it almost always comes out as lyrics. There is a certain framing for songs and a different flow for poetry (or maybe those are the boxes inside me that I need to breakdown). For me at least, songs are more telling about something than showing something... in the folk genre. Well - anyway - this was a poem that flows more like a folk song.



My Mother's Peace



There is a peace that I know about.
I learned of it as a small child.
A peace that my mother showed me,
In moments ‘tween when I ran wild.

It’s a peace that she firmly believed in,
With a faith both strong and true.
She taught it to me by her actions,
And she hoped I’d pass it on too.

This peace is quite rare; it’s uncommon.
But my mom taught me what to look for.
She told me it wasn’t in headlines,
Or in fame, power, profits, or war.

It’s not something quiet inside you.
And to keep it, you give it away.
It’s the deeds that we do for others,
The simplest tasks we do every day.

It’s a smile to a total stranger.
It’s forgetting our own selfish greed.
It’s a hug we give someone to comfort.
It’s a helpful hand to someone in need.

Peace is in Just deeds we do.
She showed me every day.
Peace is the example we set,
For every child at play.

Peace is not a state of mind,
Nor some lofty high ideal.
Remember that peace is in action,
What YOU do is what keeps it real.

So I don’t keep my mother’s peace,
I give it all away.
“Shalom my peace in all you do.”
It is these words I pray.