BY JULIE BRANDON

Once, for a moment, peace rested outside my window

I heard its sweet song

When I approached, it fled

To the countryside, to the cities, to the warzones

To the tunnels, the bombed-out buildings

Never staying long

Always just out of reach

I long to see it again

Not to capture and keep in a golden cage 

Peace not shared withers and fades away 

A memory of what could have been

But to learn the melody so that others may sing along

When we do, peace will finally have a place to rest