and the white veil of peace
on your black hair
a shroud, now
a cloud
from barrel and bullet and bomb
only death can gag you
and even that
is speaking
brown hands clutch no steel
save that of will
and even that -- borrowed
from a sea of eyes
haunted in silence
and haunting in their mass
keep your hands empty
for peace, you counsel --
bear no barrel
save words --
lightly you walk
within the cage of numbered days
your name -- incomparable
and your woman's hands
cupped and filled with peace
let our remembrance be a garland
on the grave of war