A poet cries for peace

I recently finished a book entitled "Notes From the Hyena's Belly" by Nega Mezlekia. It is his autobiography of growing up in Ethiopia. He writes about Ethiopian poetry.
"In Ethiopia, poetry is second only to the achievements of kings. Poets are sought after and treasured with great reverence by the ruling class. In ancient times , poets were invited to read to the king's palace and light up the festivities at a feudal lord's manor by composing odes that both celebrated triumphs over adversaries and advised the lord of the condition of his serfs" page 39-40
Mezlekia goes on to say that the poet could speak of the true plight of the peasant and plead on his behalf because the lord would do him no harm as he was only fulfilling his duty.
Following those lines I post here a poem many of you have heard me recite and which I wrote.

Let there be peace on Earth

“By violence I mean any way you have of violating the identity and integrity of another person” -Parker Palmer

To Christianize the nations

we require you look like us,

talk like us, and act like us.

You must embrace capitalism

and a democratic government.

This is the Christian thing to do.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be the moment now

I come to the Christian nation.

You wear our clothes, an old

T-shirt from a school

over here. You stare at us

amazed. We are who you want

to be. Well fed and clean.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be my solemn vow

You stare at us with yellow eyes

and rotting teeth. Your belly protruding

like a latex balloon. Your eyes

are empty like the bowl you

use for food. Let me help

you look like me.

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me

You fled from the country

to escape famine and war.

Your people’s lands were

taken that they may be used

to better your nation, with

tall buildings and roads.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be the moment now

Now your cattle have nowhere to roam.

Your crops cannot grow. Come to the city.

To pursue the great dream and escape

the madness of your home. Enter the city

to be stripped of everything – that you may be me.

Start a roadside stand selling “authentic” Kenyan art.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be my solemn vow

Kenya was a nation of many tribes

but now it’s best if you forget

that. You should have

one language and one name.

Come we will put you next to

this tribe. No, don’t tell me the history.

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me

Dream of brick houses and running water.

A car or two. Work hard and they will be

provided for you. It’s been four generations

and here you sit poorer than before. Get up

stop being lazy, get out of the muck. Be proud

of your heritage. But, wait who am I?

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be the moment now.

Let there be peace on earth

Let this be my solemn vow.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

- peace