I ask you not to bomb ... a poem by Anne Selden Annab

President Barack Obama meets with Members of Congress to discuss Syria in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Sept. 3, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

       I ask you not to bomb

I ask you not to bomb-
all of you
I ask you to pause
think... savor value
treasure life
and the things we have built
the art we have saved
and made part of every day
the books yet to be written
the gardens yet
to be planted

I ask you not to bomb-
all of you
abandon violence
as a tactic... as a goal
be gentle with children-
and cities
be kind to women
and landscapes
be true to men
and diplomacy
be careful with history
and interpretations...

Lead by example

Lead us away from war
away from terror
away from tyrants
who find power
in lies told
to frightened people.

Lead by example
listening
learning dialogue

and calmly walk away
from those who don't.

Lead by example
investing in peace
& hopefully Palestine.