Elizabeth Esguerra Castillo & Jonathan Aquino write

War and Peace

Elizabeth:

I dream of a world enveloped in utmost peace and unity

Where the fresh meadows commune with soaring birds in beautiful tranquility

A sacred sanctuary where precious lives are given due importance

And the rights of the people are recognized in every circumstance.

Jonathan:

I heard the news today

from a country far away,

a little girl, aged nine,

got her feet blown off

as she stepped in a landmine

Then there was this young woman,

the wife of a war hero,

she saw the death of her husband

and their two young sons

in a war full of widows .

Elizabeth:

An immaculate white dove flying freely across the skies of blue,

Bringing hope in the hearts of troubled souls in every avenue

The dawning of a brand new day, a glimpse of a colorful rainbow,

Setting forth calmness and stillness for a better tomorrow.

Jonathan:

We human beings pride ourselves

as the image and likeness of the Creator,

yet we have contaminated our small planet,

and we spent our entire history killing each other

Elizabeth:

Let there be peace in an ailing world which needs healing,

Put an end to all misunderstandings covering the land

Let a ray of light shine upon nations at war,

Set aside differences in beliefs, say no to discrimination of any kind.

I can see the beaming sun with its orb reaching out to everyone,

No more outcasts who feel lonely amidst a busy crowd

A world which gives no room for selfish motives to reign

But of extending brotherly love promoting a place of total harmony.

Jonathan:

From the time of the ancients,

when tribes battle for the land,

wars have been a curse, a pestilence

that has destroyed countless lives,

but we started it, and we can end it

or wait, until none is left to survive.