It's all about ego and military might
Long-gone the talk of the fundamental right 
To peace and justice and, of course,
To a life well-lived and a restful night.

Guns now essential to peace keep 
Cameras and alarms to induce sleep,
A pipe-dream, indeed, is talk of peace 
Doesn't it make you want to weep?

It's not even ironic, it's pretty much a joke
Like the constant battle between
Pepsi and Coke, fear generated by one or the other. 
When was the last time of peace, we spoke?

As if peace had already been, sadly, interred 
The case to the coroner, sadly, referred,
A demise like any other, temporarily, mourned 
A storm in passing, somehow, weathered.

Divide and rule was a British invention
Split the people, then the nation, 
Scrambling now to stay whole
What have we done? they ask, in consternation.

Maim and kill for the sake of peace
Fear instill for the sake of peace 
Anything, but live peacefully
Anything, but anything, for the sake of peace.
 
Once a year, marches for eternal peace
The world in turmoil from Turkey to Greece, 
Homilies, sermons, warnings too
How about, folks, a requiem for peace?

(The author is a businessman and part-time poet. He can be contacted at ashok.sawhny06.poems@gmail.com)