Peace is a universal longing. It has been explored in many facets by poets throughout history, from the external world to the internal human psyche. Peace can manifest as a quiet landscape, inner tranquility, or the cessation of conflict. In poetry, peace is often a source of solace, reflection, and resolution. The following collection of 13 great poems delves into the theme of peace, offering varying perspectives on its nature, its necessity, and its impact on human existence.
1. “Peace” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
One of the quintessential poems about peace, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Peace” speaks to the desire for reconciliation and the healing of human wounds. In a time of war and suffering, Longfellow envisions peace as a restorative force, a quiet balm for the world’s pain.
“Peace! It is the time of flowers,
When the sky is bright, the fields are green,
And the earth sings her songs of joy.”
Longfellow uses peaceful imagery, such as flowers and bright skies, to symbolize the renewal that peace brings. His words express not only the physical restoration of nature but also the emotional renewal of the human spirit. The contrast between the harshness of war and the calmness of peace speaks to the universal longing for tranquility and harmony.
2. “Let There Be Peace on Earth” by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller
This song-poem was written in 1955 and has since become a powerful anthem for peace. It is simple yet profound, emphasizing the need for individuals to contribute to the collective peace of the world.
“Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.”
The poem urges personal responsibility for fostering peace, an idea that resonates with the philosophy that individual actions can shape the world. By starting with oneself, each person can create ripples of peace that spread across communities and nations. The simplicity of the language invites readers to reflect on the direct connection between inner peace and global harmony.
3. “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry’s poem emphasizes the restorative power of nature. In moments of personal despair, Berry finds peace not in human civilization but in the solace offered by the “wild things” of the earth.
“When despair for the world grows in me
And I wake in the night at the least sound
In fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
Rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.”
Berry contrasts human anxiety with the peace of the natural world. His speaker finds peace not in societal structures but in nature’s inherent calm and its quiet continuity. This poem conveys the profound tranquility that the natural world offers, suggesting that reconnecting with it can restore inner peace in the face of external turmoil.
4. “The Guest House” by Rumi
Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, offers a mystical and philosophical take on peace. In “The Guest House,” peace is achieved through acceptance and welcoming all emotions, even those that bring turmoil.
“This moment you have been waiting for,
This one that comes,
Holds it all.”
Rumi uses the metaphor of a guest house to represent the self. Each emotion that arrives—whether joy or sorrow—is welcomed as a guest. This attitude of acceptance fosters inner peace, as it suggests that peace does not lie in avoiding difficulty but in embracing it with grace. Rumi’s peace is not the absence of conflict but the ability to find harmony within it.
5. “I Am Not I” by Juan Ramón Jiménez
This Spanish poet’s work contemplates the separation between the self and the mind, suggesting that true peace comes from transcending the ego and embracing a greater sense of unity.
“I am not I.
I am this one
Walking beside me, whom I do not see
Whom at times I manage to visit,
And whom at other times I forget.”
Jiménez explores the inner conflict that arises from the false sense of self. The poem presents peace as an awareness of one’s true nature, beyond the ego. This transcendence of individual desire and identity leads to a more profound peace, as the speaker becomes attuned to the greater unity of existence.
6. “War is Kind” by Stephen Crane
Although Crane’s poem might seem at odds with the theme of peace, its ironic approach offers a stark critique of war, ultimately calling for the peace that can only come through the cessation of violence.
“Do not weep, babe, for war is kind,
Because your father has gone to war.”
Through the jarring irony of the poem’s title and its stark, brutal lines, Crane condemns the glorification of war. The speaker addresses a child whose father has died in battle, highlighting the senselessness of violence. In doing so, the poem advocates for peace by showing the painful consequences of war, urging readers to seek peace in place of conflict.
7. “The Peace of the Night” by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson often dealt with themes of life, death, and peace. In “The Peace of the Night,” she reflects on the deep sense of tranquility that night brings, a time of rest and quiet reflection.
“The Peace of the Night is a quiet thing,
It wraps around the soul like a silken wing.”
Dickinson’s description of the night as a comforting and protective presence conveys the idea that peace can be found in moments of stillness and rest. She captures the quietude of night as an antidote to the busy and often chaotic demands of the day. The poem suggests that peace can be a gentle, restorative force that soothes the mind and heart.
8. “A Prayer for Peace” by John Denver
John Denver, known for his heartfelt songs, also penned poetry that reflected his deep love for nature and peace. In this prayer for peace, he invokes a collective yearning for harmony and understanding.
“May the sound of the wind in the trees
Bring peace to the hearts of all.”
Denver’s poetry speaks to the idea of peace as a shared, communal experience. By calling upon the natural world and its calming sounds, Denver emphasizes the connection between humanity and nature as a means to foster peace. The universal appeal of his language invites everyone to participate in the creation of a peaceful world.
9. “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay
Written during the Harlem Renaissance, this poem is a powerful call for dignity and resistance in the face of oppression. Though not directly about peace, McKay’s plea for resistance to violence and his advocacy for human dignity align with the broader theme of peace.
“If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.”
McKay’s poem speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice. It calls for a dignified death, resisting the violence imposed by others. His argument for human worth and dignity points to the importance of peace not just as the absence of violence but as a state of human respect and equality.
10. “The Soldiers” by Rupert Brooke
Rupert Brooke’s poem reflects on the sacrifice and ultimate peace achieved through death in war, offering a poignant meditation on the price of peace.
“If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England.”
Brooke’s poem portrays peace through sacrifice, where the soldier’s death is seen as a noble contribution to the peace of the nation. While the poem glorifies this form of sacrifice, it also calls attention to the ultimate price of peace—death—and forces readers to contemplate the moral cost of war. It suggests that peace comes at a great price, often extracted through the lives of those who fight for it.
11. “To the Peace-makers” by Kahlil Gibran
Known for his philosophical and spiritual insights, Kahlil Gibran’s poem “To the Peace-makers” speaks to those who actively work toward harmony and understanding.
“Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
Gibran draws upon religious themes to frame peace-makers as virtuous individuals who embody a divine calling. The poem calls for active, compassionate engagement in the pursuit of peace, urging readers to dedicate themselves to fostering reconciliation, understanding, and unity. The peace-making process is portrayed not just as a lofty ideal but as a divine duty.
12. “On Peace” by T.S. Eliot
T.S. Eliot’s reflection on peace is more complex and nuanced. He contemplates the balance between inner and outer peace in the context of human suffering and spiritual longing.
“The peace of the world,
The peace of the heart that is lost,
The peace of the soul that is found.”
Eliot’s poem delves into the psychological and spiritual aspects of peace, offering a nuanced view of how peace can be an inner experience that permeates the external world. It raises the idea that true peace begins within the self and radiates outward, implying that personal inner peace is essential for broader societal peace.
13. “Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen
Wilfred Owen’s poem is a brutal and anti-war commentary on the futility of war, underscoring the violent reality that stands in stark contrast to the glorified notion of peace often depicted by those in power.
“Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.”
Owen’s graphic depiction of war’s horrors serves as a harsh reminder of the consequences of conflict. The poem directly challenges the idea that war is a noble pursuit for peace, showing instead the grotesque realities soldiers face. This serves to emphasize the profound disconnect between the glorification of war and the true nature of peace.
Conclusion
Poetry about peace transcends mere words of solace and calm. It encompasses the struggle for inner peace, the quiet beauty of nature, the personal responsibility we have in creating a peaceful world, and the complex relationships between war, sacrifice, and tranquility. These 13 poems explore diverse aspects of peace, from the personal to the universal, offering us a deep well of reflection and contemplation.
