Peace Walking

Showing us nhow to be peaceful,
the monks aren’t just walking once.
They’re asking us to walk
for peace for the rest of our lives.
They say the way to do it
is a single focus at a time
arising from one’s entire being,
a heartful practice misnamed mindfulness.

It’s the inside-out of multi-tasking,
that other, more common practice
that feels so efficient
but harms our brains and spirits.
The monks say by meditating every day
we walk the daily steps of our lives
at peace, in peace, for peace;
that collective energy makes the changes.

Not a belief or an opinion,
simply a practice, being peaceful.
Nothing to lose but a tiny bit of time a day.
It slowly enlarges compassion.
It can take our anger and put it to use
in community defense, in love.
It can open our eyes so we don’t
let them take our neighbors away.

The monks are men showing the way
home to the best of our natures,
to the selves we knew we could be.
Peace means agreement and requires
individuals who are at peace, to agree.
It’s a way to ready ourselves
to receive and be the peace
that all of us wholeheartedly long for.

©Susa Silvermarie 2026