In December, 1980, Iran and Iraq were at war. Russia was threatening Poland. More than forty years later the headlines are virtually the same, if not worse. In the meantime, the hopeful images found in several prophetic books in the Old Testament continue to fuel our hope for a God-brokered lasting peace.
Mankind is a restless sea
Seeking freedom from the shore
Backs turned on tranquility
Bloodshed, weapons raised for war
Priceless lives are blown apart
Masterpieces vandalized
Wailing children. Weeping wives
Who will stop to count the cost?
How much is a man’s life worth?
Who will calm this violence?
Take away this deadly curse?
Earth groans as the tanks roll on
Sky scorched by atomic blasts
Youngsters learn to maim and kill
Plowshares will be made from swords
Nations will refrain from war
At the coming of the Lord
Politics and diplomacy
Can not stem the crimson tide
Blood has flowed through the centuries
Anger, lust and hate and pride
Always right. Always justified
No side ever takes the blame
Innocents clashing viciously
Sun sets in a pool of blood
Darkness, then the golden dawn
Breathless we await the day
When these horrors will be gone
Listen to the rattling bones
Dancing back to life
Joy fest of the risen slain
Plowshares will be made from swords
Nations will refrain from war
At the coming of the Lord
Plowshares will be made from swords
Nations will refrain from war
At the coming of the Lord
© Peter Slofstra • 1980 • Orillia, Ontario