The bright light of peace!
All the world
advancing in joyful harmony,
a world lit
by the bright cheer of peace!

* * *

In the words of one statesman:
Peace is not found
in the interval
between one war
and the next.

Where there is no peace,
happiness is unthinkable.

* * *

We will struggle relentlessly
against those who would destroy peace.
We will struggle relentlessly
against those who force
their evil on others.

We will struggle relentlessly
against those who author
secret wrongs,
inflicting these
with callous abandon.

* * *

I raise my voice
and call out to them:
Do not lose yourself in the maze.

Do not succumb
to the allure of squander.

Do not sink in bogs
of destruction and vanity!

Beware of all that
warps your humanity!

The purpose of living is happiness,
an outcome only determined
in the full and final measure
of a person’s life.

* * *

Where life is cherished,
there peace is found.

Where people are united
in the richness of their hearts,
there peace exists
as a tangible reality.

* * *

Crowds gather
in the morning mist
hailing, calling out their praise
for mothers and for peace.

Your shining eyes,
directed at human happiness
and at peace,
are filled with ageless wisdom.

I offer my solemn tribute
to you who have embraced
so many desperate people,
who have grown to become
a proud and gifted teacher
of the soul’s eternal songs.

* * *

As Socrates declared:
What is important
is not simply to live,
but to live well.

As Victor Hugo cried:
Young people, take heart.
If there are those who would make
the present difficult,
our future will be beautiful.

* * *

My friend!
Upholding the dignity of life
maintain the calm
and confident manner
of one eternally victorious,
of one whose spirit sprints
swiftly ahead.

* * *

With splendid effort
let us win and gain
the crown
of inner victory!

No matter what,
please win!

I also, am most assuredly
determined to win.

Salute this procession,
this triumphant march toward peace!

June 2, 2001