Jan Harmon, 1950
PEACE FOR SALE
"Peace for sale," the vendor cries . .
"Peace."
And though the cost is high and clear . .
Life itself is not too dear
to buy a world of peace.
"War for sale," another calls . .
"War."
The price is scourged out of a soul
and death by chaos is the goal
of those who buy of war.
"Purchase war or peace, you fools,"
an aged soldier dares to throng.
"The fibers cannot last for long . .
for bargains soon will warp.
I say that war is lost with blood
and won the same. So who can tell
the vanquished . . from the victor's swell?
Full equal is their price.
Buy battle if you will, I say.
But peace is free to all the earth.
And sealed in reservoirs or worth
await the digger's well."