E x p r e s s i o n s  F o r  P e a c e

i n  R e s p o n s e  t o  t h e

V i r g i n i a  T e c h  T r a g e d y

by Regina Butler


Can blessing or power
stop the worldly cries
of relationships which breed
perpetual hatred?


Both men and women
with little understanding,
twist, crawl, and manipulate
one another in garbled masses.


Do they not see the freedom
outside the self sustained
nest of despair-doing, doing,
doing-that they may feel.


Sanity and peace lay beyond
the nest of emotion.


Oh caterpillars, I beg you.
Come down from the
nest of industry.


Remember peace.


Crawl away, rest,
rest among the leaves of grace.