I just caught the end of segment on tonight’s “Larry King Show” about a truly gifted advocate for peace. I remember seeing him on television programs but never spent much time paying attention to what he had to say. Today as I listened to a tape recorded prior to his death I couldn’t help but think of the quote from scripture, “and a child shall lead them.”
This poem was written by Mattie September 12, 2001. He was a very gifted young man who had much to offer.
For Our World
We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
September 12, 2001
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