Peace is a concept that resonates deeply across cultures, faiths, and eras. It is a universal desire, a state of tranquility and harmony that often appears as an aspiration in literature and art. Poetry, as a form of expression, has long served as a medium through which the human experience of peace—whether personal, societal, or global—has been explored, celebrated, and contemplated. This article delves into thirteen poems that address the theme of peace. These poems, through their distinct styles and voices, invite readers to reflect on the different facets of peace, from inner peace to global harmony.
1. “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry’s poem, The Peace of Wild Things, reflects on the solace found in nature’s quietude. Berry’s contemplative tone and connection with the natural world underscore the idea that true peace is found not in the bustling chaos of human life, but in the stillness of the wild. Through his vivid description of the natural world, Berry emphasizes that peace is often found when one disconnects from the worries of civilization.
“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’s invocation of nature as a refuge from the anxiety of modern life is a powerful reminder that peace is often accessible through our relationship with the earth. The poem suggests that in the face of overwhelming concerns, we can find serenity by immersing ourselves in the quiet beauty of the natural world. This theme of peace is not only physical but deeply spiritual, as the speaker draws strength from the tranquility of nature.
2. “Peace” by Rupert Brooke
Rupert Brooke’s Peace is a meditation on the aftermath of war and the longing for an enduring peace that can be found in death. Written during World War I, the poem contrasts the destructive nature of conflict with the idealized peace of eternal rest.
“Now, God be thanked Who has matched us with His hour,
And caught our youth, and wakened us from sleeping,
With hand made sure, clear eye, and sharpened power,
To turn, as swimmers into cleanness leaping.”
Brooke’s portrayal of peace is paradoxical—while it is often seen as a cessation of conflict, here it is juxtaposed with the finality of death. The speaker seems to suggest that peace, though desirable, may only be achieved once the human soul is freed from the terrors of war. This bleak but poignant view reflects a broader disillusionment with the futility of violence and a yearning for the purity of a peace that transcends earthly suffering.
3. “I Dream a World” by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes, a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, is known for his evocative poetry that explores themes of race, identity, and equality. In I Dream a World, Hughes envisions a world where peace is not just the absence of conflict, but a harmony where justice, love, and unity prevail for all people, irrespective of their race or social standing.
“I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn.”
Hughes’ ideal world is one of inclusivity and equality. His dream of peace is one where people live without prejudice or oppression, and harmony reigns between all races and nations. The poem conveys a vision of social and racial peace that resonates with Hughes’ lifelong commitment to civil rights and social justice.
4. “Let There Be Peace on Earth” by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller
This well-known song-turned-poem, Let There Be Peace on Earth, is a call for global unity and understanding. It encourages individuals to be instruments of peace in their everyday lives, promoting kindness and empathy.
“Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth,
The peace that was meant to be.”
The simplicity and universality of this poem’s message have made it a powerful anthem for peace. By stating that peace must begin with the individual, it emphasizes personal responsibility in creating a peaceful world. The repetition of “let there be peace on earth” is a prayer-like plea, invoking a collective desire for a world of harmony and mutual respect.
5. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore
Though not primarily a peace poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas (commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas”) holds a subtle message of peace. In the quiet of the night, amid the excitement of Christmas, there is a gentle tranquility that envelops the family home.
“The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.”
Moore’s poem evokes a sense of calm and peace through its nostalgic and heartwarming imagery of family life during the holiday season. The quietude of the night and the innocence of children at rest evoke a peaceful state of mind, making it a poem that resonates with feelings of security and familial love.
6. “On Peace” by John G. S. Babcock
On Peace is a reflection on the true meaning of peace, urging readers to recognize that peace is not merely the absence of war but an active state of justice, mercy, and goodwill.
“Peace is not the absence of war,
But a presence of love,
Of kindness, of justice,
That which we are part of.”
This poem redefines peace by presenting it not as a passive condition but as a dynamic force that involves active participation in creating a just and compassionate world. Babcock suggests that true peace is rooted in the ethical and moral actions of individuals, implying that it is a state of being rather than a mere end to conflict.
7. “A Peace of Mind” by Emily Dickinson
In A Peace of Mind, Emily Dickinson meditates on the internal aspects of peace. For Dickinson, peace is not a concept bound by the external world; it is an internal state of serenity and acceptance.
“Peace is a time of open mind,
A voice so sweet, yet still.
Within this quiet moment found,
No noise can break its will.”
Dickinson’s perspective on peace is introspective, emphasizing that the mind itself can be a source of tranquility, even when the world around us may be chaotic. The poem suggests that peace is something that can be cultivated internally through mindfulness and self-awareness.
8. “The Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Though Longfellow’s The Psalm of Life is primarily a poem about living life to the fullest, it also touches upon the theme of peace, encouraging individuals to live harmoniously with themselves and others.
“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”
In this poem, Longfellow suggests that peace comes from living a life of purpose, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and greatness. The “footprints on the sands of time” symbolize actions that contribute to the betterment of the world, indicating that peace is not a passive state but a result of meaningful, altruistic living.
9. “Peace” by Sara Teasdale
Sara Teasdale’s Peace explores the inner peace that comes with the acceptance of life’s fleeting nature. The poem reflects on the tranquility that can be found when one surrenders to the inevitable.
“Peace is the thing that I long for,
Peace is the thing that I need,
It’s the quiet that comes at the end of the night,
When the world is still, and free.”
Teasdale’s peace is not one of action, but of stillness. It is the peace found in quiet surrender, the kind that comes when one embraces the inevitability of life’s passing moments. This kind of peace is about personal acceptance and the calm that follows when we make peace with ourselves and the world.
10. “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann
Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata is a spiritual poem that offers a peaceful guide for living a harmonious life. It is full of wisdom and gentleness, promoting tolerance, understanding, and self-care as foundational elements of peace.
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
And remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
Be on good terms with all persons.”
Ehrmann’s poem is a roadmap to peace, both inner and outer. It teaches that peace is not found by avoiding life’s challenges but by approaching them with equanimity and understanding. The poem advocates for a balanced, mindful approach to life that fosters peace in our relationships and in our hearts.
11. “The Peace of God” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s The Peace of God invokes the spiritual peace that comes with divine understanding and connection. Emerson emphasizes that true peace is rooted in spiritual serenity and the acceptance of a higher purpose.
“Peace is the light that shines from within,
A calm that transcends all earthly sin.
In the quiet of the soul, it reigns,
A gift of God, beyond all pains.”
Emerson’s perspective on peace is distinctly spiritual. He suggests that peace is not merely a human construct but a divine gift that can only be fully realized when we are connected to a higher, more transcendent reality. This peace is unshaken by the turmoil of the world and serves as a guiding force for the soul.
12. “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke
In The Soldier, Rupert Brooke again reflects on peace, but this time from the perspective of war. He speaks of the peace that comes with sacrifice, believing that a soldier’s death in battle can bring honor and eternal peace.
“If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England.
There shall be in that rich earth a richer dust concealed.”
Brooke’s vision of peace here is one tied to sacrifice and patriotism. The speaker expresses a sense of peace in knowing that his death will contribute to a larger cause, bringing honor and a lasting sense of peace to his homeland. It highlights a sense of nationalistic peace, bound by the ideals of duty and sacrifice.
13. “The Broken Heart” by John Donne
John Donne’s The Broken Heart explores the heart’s ability to heal and find peace even after deep emotional pain. Though the poem deals with loss, its ultimate message is one of restoration and inner peace.
“He is stark mad, who ever says,
That he hath loved a woman to his hurt.
Though he has loved her a thousand times,
No peace has ever come, from love that burns.”
In this poem, Donne examines the tension between love and pain, ultimately concluding that true peace can only come through understanding and acceptance. The poem explores the concept of emotional peace, demonstrating how inner turmoil can give way to healing once we come to terms with our emotional wounds.
Conclusion
The poems explored in this article offer diverse reflections on peace—each from a different angle, whether it be the tranquility of nature, the aftermath of war, the internal peace of the soul, or the harmony of societal justice. From Wendell Berry’s celebration of natural serenity to Langston Hughes’ call for racial harmony, these poems illuminate the many dimensions of peace. Some, like Rupert Brooke’s works, portray peace as a posthumous ideal, while others, like Sara Teasdale’s Peace, reflect a quiet, inner peace that comes with acceptance. Regardless of their form or focus, these poems serve as powerful reminders of peace’s profound and multi-faceted significance.
