Peace Poem by Charlotte Ballard

All that’s needed for Peace
Is an agreement, a gentleman’s
If you prefer–
Two hands held out, shake once
Then twice for the camera pops
Then pats on the back, by
Fellows who don’t speak
Together, except in the
voices of pretty maids
Standing behind,
Struggling to finish
Graduate school.
The girls, I mean,
Not the camera men,
Nor the men up front -
With Bright white teeth
Jagged, and sharp,

One Agreement.
To shake hands,
Instead of commanding
A salute.
Twenty-one for the
survivors.