A meeting of minds met up in the mountains
To talk about things in the world as they were.
They were called from the corners of every great nation,
All were there for one reason, but none of them sure.
Then the guests were all seated and served a selection
Of good gourmet foods and the finest French wines.
'Til the dinner discussion developed to discourse
On the importance of dialogue and the reading of signs.
"What's the use" said the First "If I speak from the heart,
And there's nobody willing to listen?"
"Now you're talking," said Two as he laced up a shoe,
'"Unless there's obviously somethin' I'm missin'."
"What we're missing" said Three "When we see what we see,
Are the things that we'd like to believe to be true."
"Anymore," chimed in Four, "There's just heartache in store,
Thinking only of old ideas, never of new."
Upon which, they all agreed.
That's when Five took his turn at the table to talk
About things that were taxing and troubling him more.
Such as famine and drought, generations in doubt,
And diseases with death tolls far greater than war.
And as Six fought back tears, number Seven spoke softly,
Said "We've always got plenty for twenty times more."
"That sounds great!" shouted Eight, who was arriving there late,
As he stepped to the table, never closing a door.
"My idea," he declared as the others all stared
"Deals with something I've always been meaning to say...
We've had thousands of years with this bloodshed and tears.
Can't we all just have peace for a day?"
And then, the room fell silent.
There were quizzical looks as a couple heads shook.
There were several laughs, condescended.
"There are reasons for war," said a stern Number Four,
"I agree... But there are reasons to end it."
"If it's just for a day, then at least we can say
That we knew it, if ever so fleeting.
Then the truth will remain, and the answer so plain:
When we war, it's ourselves we're defeating."
"Do you think" stated Five "There's a human alive
Who does not include peace in their ultimate goals?"
"Well, I wish it were true" shouted Three before Two
Reassured him that most of the research reflects this in polls.
"Please forgive me" said Six, "But it seems you're suggesting
That we lay down our arms on a planet-wide scale?"
"That's correct" replied Eight, "Now we just need a date
And a plan from the people who can ensure it won't fail."
"That's a dangerous day if we lower our guard,"
Seven said, breathing deep to prevent him from yelling.
"That's the risk that we run" said an unafraid One,
"But regardless... I'm buying what he's selling."
"Just imagine the impact on every young child
Who's known only our violence since arriving at birth...
It shows peace is still possible, however improbable,
And that living in harmony once happened on Earth."
This time, all heads nodded in agreement.
So the leaders talked late about all the logistics,
A spectacular synergy of the world's superpowers.
They defined each detail and deployed the directive
That the planet would be peaceful for 24 hours.
Then they promised to stay in touch...
When the day came around it was well-publicized
In the media outlets all around the world.
Though the soldiers kept watch, all their guns were on "safety,"
And not one bullet was fired, nor a bomb had been hurled.
And from sunrise to sunset every man, woman, child,
Did discover a place they could never before find.
There was peace on the streets. There was peace in the air.
And the peace in their hearts gave them ALL peace of mind.
And when that day became next and the nightfall descended,
All God's children reflected, both mighty and meek.
Said: "That wasn't so bad!" and "I'm sorry it ended..."
"Maybe next we'll try peace for a week?"
