Why Do We March? Poem by Jim Yerman

"Why do we march for peace, Mom? " I heard her ask as they walked next to me.
"For the same reason, " her mother answered, "that you and I plant a tree."

"It will be many years from now…once that seed is laid
until your children…or perhaps your children's children play under its shade."

"We plant a tree for the future…" and here a smile crossed her face,
"hoping the tree we plant today will make tomorrow a better place."

"That is why we march, my love…because I feel this need
To make the future better…to plant another seed."

"A seed of love and optimism…that one day hate will cease…
so your children or your children's children will finally play in peace."

I felt proud to be marching next to them and smiled as I kept pace…
determined to help them plant a seed of hope today…
that will make tomorrow a better place.