The peace you want is never free
you say that you want what’s right
but are you ready for the fee?
With guns at hand you want to fight
but can you thus economize
as weapons just increase the spite
No talk to those who you despise
and then reach out with open hands
the price of peace is compromise
And carefully make up the plans
and don’t forget with cups of tea
we can together weapons ban
As peace you want is is never free
I hope you’re ready for the fee
Today it’s the international day of peace. We celebrate that at dVerse, and my contribution is the little poem above. When I was out bicycling today I got the line “the price of peace is compromise” hooked in my head, and evolved it to this. The sculpture above exist in many versions and is done by Carl-Fredrik Reuterswärd… the name of it is Non-Violence.
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September 21, 2013

So very true, Bjorn, that peace is never free. In an ideal world people would TALK instead of yielding weapons and making threats, and in an ideal world we would all be sharing cups of tea. I did like the sculpture “Non-violence.” Very moving sculpture really.
Peace to you on International Peace Day, Bjorn!
There is a copy outside the UN building also. It was made after John Lennon was shot —
peace has its price – i agree – and the way is compromise – i agree as well… wondering if we ever manage.. ugh.. a long way still – love that sculpture..
I think most people think the price is too high…. still … yes the sculpture is brilliant. I love to walk past it…
Yes, peace comes with a heavy fee, sometimes an astronomical price ~
I would rather buy lots of tea cups, than weapons ~ Happy weekend 🙂
Tea of peace – guess it’s the opposite of a tea party though
I think that if we really wanted peace, we would need to put aside our weapons and listen. When we talk, we usually just rehearse old arguments and raise old complaints; listening is an act that treats the other with a respect that talking doesn’t necessarily require.
Love the sentiments and the Terza Rima Sonnet form here too, Bjorn.
Listen is so much harder than to talk..
Yes, indeed… I am ready!
I think most people are ready.. but not those with power…
so true….there is a price for our peace, but i dont think anyone is willing to pay it…to give up what they would have to…and thus we are stuck in war….
Yes indeed… compromise is about giving in.. for everyone… and how can that ever be achieved?
You’re right Björn! As much as we dislike to admit it, peace is “never free” and compromises are necessary. In addition the way to peace is long and hard work.
Thank you.. yes peace is hard, and something the price is high..
That sculpture! Your poem is a great surprise. A oft-used metaphor, “the price of peace” usually means war. Hear you turn that around making it explicit in Stanza 4. Activist poetry.
yes.. sometimes activism is needed… war almost never leads to peace..
Surely there’s a price for being free, so of course for peace there’ll be a fee !!! Well Done Björn !!
the price can be high… but in the long run it’s better… deep down I’m really a pacifist.
A wonderful poem, brother, and I adore the John Lennon, non-violence, lets give peace a chance connection, but I do feel alacrity when it comes to compromise becoming bellicose, and its demands unending, as violent jihadist regimes play at peace, and practice war, death, & reprisal. I love your insights though, and applaud your forays into probable possible solutions.
I fully agree… when compromise seems most repulsive its when it’s most needed though..
Amazing photo/sculpture. Your culture is very different than ours. I’m horrified at how many in my country own guns and even arsenals and no one is willing to do anything about it despite the tons of statistics showing countries with little access to guns have much lower death rates. It is a mad world. Next week is a knife and gun show not a mile from my home…an arena for all kinds of conventions. Scares me to death.
We have a lot of weapons.. but mostly for hunting.. to me there’s only one rule you have to apply to make the weapons less lethal..
as an owner of a gun you are fully responsible how it’s used.. if it’s stolen — you have not stored it properly … if your kids use it — same thing.
Then it’s the matter of self defence… here you cannot claim it for protecting property.. only life… I think with simple rules like that.. interest will drop..
Certainly, I agree! It’s very complex and difficult though I think. People have to give things up –not easy! Thanks, Bjorn. k.
Thank you. yes the compromise is the hardest part…
So taskful you say!! Its never free! But sometimes it appears as if it really does!!!!
It’s never free.. but the alternative might be worse
Wow, that sculpture says so much, as does your poem. Would that we can talk and listen and come up with mutual agreements.
at the end we have to… we just have to come to the point of no return I think.
A fantastic message in this poem – the price of peace is compromise. Stellar. That sculpture has a fabulous message, too. What a great uplifting post! Thanks, kiddo. You made my day.
Compromise is necessary for peace. These weapons are for the weak, not for the strong. Powerful write, Bjorn.
Yes, the price there is to pay – works on so many levels Bjorn…
With Best Wishes Scott http://www.scotthastie.com
Peace is wrought with unpeaceful episodes! The adage seemed ‘one has to be cruel to be kind’ This invariably gave a licence to kill and caused destruction ostensibly with peace in mind! Great take Bjorn!
Hank
Nice, Björn – compromise is exactly what’s needed…
So very, very true!! I don’t think many people want to admit that “the price of peace is compromise”!! Great poem!! 🙂
Most definitely, I am ready. One would think that THIS is something that would be taught annually in school.
So true. We must learn to give and take and communicate.
Well played sir.
Yes, it seems that the price paid for peace can sometimes be just too high for some – compromise seems to require more work than resorting to violence for the sake of peace. Sad.
Wow, powerful picture to go with your words..compromise would help lead the way..but, at what price for peace…
talking over cups of tea, a way to begin