A Poem by my Uncle...
(A Congregational Minister Poet.
This won a national hymn award.)

The Prince of Peace goes forth to
   bear the burden of the cross,
His army those who gladly share
Man's sorrow, pain and loss.

No mighty ones are found with Him,
Nor those who maim and kill,
For this alone, He asks of all,
To do his Father's will.

He challenges the strong to share
   the woes of those oppressed,
His Kingdom is one brotherhood,
by all mankind expressed.

And spears are beat to pruning-hooks
   the hawk becomes the dove,
While hatred, anger, fear and strife
Becomes good-will and love.

One common bond unites all men
   of every race and creed,
The bond of fellowship and love
Based on our common need.

The Prince of Peace goes forth to
   bear the burden of the cross,
His arm those who gladly share
Man's sorrow, pain, and loss.

Avery D. Weage
Poem may be sung to the St. Anne CM Tune
(O God Our Help in Ages Past)
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We had a neighbor once...
     who feared the rest of us.

She got a gun
     and was still afraid.

So she got another...
     then one for every room
     in her house.

She was still afraid...
     and so was I.

We never dared to put out garbage
     at night.

She finally died...
     not by some intruder
     but of grief.

Her cat had died...
     breaking her heart
     something no gun could protect.

I don't know if one can
     universalize so simply
     from my neighborly experience.

But frankly I don't feel safer
     when my neighbor's house
     is full of loaded guns.

And I really don't feel safer
     when I think how well-armed
     my country and all countries are.

I think I'd feel much better
     with no guns at all.

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