There will be no time for war-original poem
This was the poem I read for the Michael Hartnett Festival which won the Best Original poem prize 2014.
There will be no time for war
because love has returned.
There will be no time for hate
because compassion is needed.
I've seen the butterfly,
she has come home
to our plane,
our earth.
She has walked out
of her cocoon
forever,
to behold
you,
me,
us.
Time has moved into eternity
while we were sleeping.
The dark times came to an end
while we were dreaming.
They said it was going
to be difficult.
They said some thing
about austerity.
They said you might not
make it.
The said
I'm busy.
Yet all this time,
all these footsteps,
in eternity,
added up,
to infinity.
And heaven became to full,
so the butterfly
flew away;
and staying was easier.
Because it was meant.
Because Love was ready to come home.
That empty cavity inside which had
turned cold and scared,
was ready to be filled again.
The storms of winter had damaged so much
but still the house of hope stood.
They had forgotten
about the indestructible spirit.
They had forgotten
about how alchemical sorrow can be.
Did you know that blood is liquid gold
Did you know breath is fire.
Did you know tears killed the drought?
This earth,
this planet,
is your blessing.
You are anointing your private phoenix
everyday by merely saying,
I love you
out aloud.
The butterfly is dancing
in you again.
You have been called to stay
Heaven calls to you and says,
Your home in the sky awaits,
but now you must stay,
to love.
Love everything.
Love the soil.
Love the wind
Love the absence
Love the way.
You, my friend are here to grow the fields of roses
for everyone who still remains.
The fragrance of eternity
is our only hope.
We are one,
in a time of darkness.
We are one
with the winds of the
North
South
East
West.
There is no battle,
just a doorway,
back into the heart.
Let go of the past.
See how Now, has everything.
©Ashley O'Neal March 2014.