Volume Eight

Volume Eight: Volume eight consists of poetry written by W. Diane Van Zwol, on the central theme of 'war or peace'. In the year 2006, the world is still in turmoil with 'war and peace' hanging in the balance. Humankind still has not learned the basic lesson of 'Love' and thus war is constantly erupting in various parts of the world. There is no country in the world that is excempt from tragedy.

1. Fair Playing Field

Fair playing field for games of war, where anger, strife and tempers soar,
Where guns and ammunition playout strengths and weaknesses of day,
Where armored tanks pass, jet planes fly, blackening the earth and sky,
Where lives are spent and no one cares and if there's even one who dares
To stake his life or her life too, the place becomes more like a zoo,
Where man's an animal, not free and each must fight, if all would be.
Spectacular, that show has been, like drama from a movie screen.
Soldiers, sailors, maimed, won't lust for more of action, hate the dust
Of ashes strewn across the land, beg to return to home, their stand
And if there still might be a place, where anger's grief there, shows no face,
What's left of war, one soon will find, has robbed each soul of peace of mind,
But beckoning behind new greed, more threats of war, no mercy seed.
Fair place to play, a war games field, when fruit of war is thus the yield,
But ball parks, playgrounds, all have rules and ball games too, not played by fools.
They're played with love; the game is real. It is a game the players feel.
It's not who wins, who loses too, but how the game is played. That's true.
Fair playing fields for games of war, one must insist, right to the core.
When man would play barbarian ways, he'll see the tragedy of days.
The innocent, the poor, the child, oft' battered in a game, so wild,
Are victimized by unfair games. Each country in its own way names
The playing field , their war plan too; that's where war's battles should ensue.
The sacredness of human life must e'er transcend the game of strife.
If man does not hold tight to love and values true, from God above,
Then life, more lives, will e'er be lost and man himself will pay the cost.
Fair playing fields, for war play see, some grace, a new reality
And shame to man whose life is spent in wasting others, or is lent
To destroy homes or places where there is new tragedy's despair.
So wake up world; see what you do, in truth revealed and shame to you.
If man be man and man of grace, no matter in what time or place,
As humble, caring, loving, kind, he will e'er offer peace of mind
And spend his time in humble ways, prolonging life, throughout his days
And ever focused on love's joy, will find new projects to employ
Himself and others, for man's good. Pursue this task? Yes, each man should.
Humanity and fairness real, should ulimately bear the seal
Beyond the tragedy, the pain, of endless terror's tragic reign.
The spoils of war, not of much worth, In contrast to a new child's birth.

2. Awaken O World

Dedication: To My Aunt, Dr. Lucille Clinger (nee Danberger)

When I began writing 'love poetry' a number of years ago, I had no idea how vast the interpretations of 'love' could be. Nor did I comprehend how far reaching the scope of 'love' truly was, or the multiplicity of its possible implications for our hurting world. I write 'love poetry' when I am inspired to do so and it flows so freely that I often stand amazed.

While many people have been of a major influence in my life, my Aunt Lucille has been one person who has inspired me to write 'love poetry', so many times. Perhaps this is because she has also written 'love poetry' and it, as well as her spoken words, reveal her wonderful attitude towards life which is focused on 'love' and her understanding of it.

This poem is written with a ongoing, resounding refrain, 'Awaken O World', calling the world to become more aware of 'love' as revealed in my 'love poetry'.

With 'love', I dedicate this poem to my Aunt Lucille.

Awaken O World

Awaken O world, to the tragedy of day...
War or mere war games, are really not play.
Awaken O world, to the sorrow of the child...
Why is there no peace when God reconciled?
Awaken O world, tell terrorism to go...
The love of one another, always show.
Awaken O world, be gone suffering and pain...
'Peace for all mankind', eternal refrain.
Awaken O world, now let sanity proclaim...
'All truth is revealed only in His name.'
Awaken O world, know the true reality...
All men are equal; humankind is free.
Awaken O world, your destiny to fufill...
'Humanity is blessed; peace is God's will.'
Awaken O world, yes, if one man at a time...
Reaches beyond evil, good reigns sublime.
Awaken O world, may ungodly grief now end...
See fullness of God's promise; healing send.
Awaken O world, a celebration of 'love'...
Victory, as peace sent from God above.

Submitted to Barnes and Noble
April 15, 2007
for future publication in 'Centres Of Expression'