Jeff McCallum

My father, 81, told me the poem below, a work in progress, is lacking passion. I agree. Hearing Mondale, Ashrawi and Beilin speak together I may have been moved to put passion aside, and work for a solution to the problem. I have raged and wept as the injustice and violence continue. Perhaps what is needed is cool compassion and hard work. Perhaps I will write another raving, ranting litany... perhaps the South will rise again

When Three is Four:

will the seventh day arrive

Peacemakers Walter (Fritz) Mondale, Hanan Ashrawi, Yossi Beilin,

regathered at Macalester,

Challenges to Peace the summit’s central theme.

No yarmulke or burqa on or centre stage,

no veiled threats unseen.

Three citizens of earth

who wished to end anticipatory retaliation.

Hoping to rebuild from chaos.

Nurture,

using strength, determination,

love.

Be mid-wife, partner, friend;

facilitate from many points of view two nations.

America was cast as dove,

a strange,  incongruous role

for self extolled policeman,

six years and many peoples lost

while buried on patrol.

All three agreed the current situation indefensible,

confirmed engaged U.S. participation indispensable.

Political instability, the very vulnerability

of those in power an opportunity for peace.

Their time to build, to mend,

to tower over history,

to lend the world new lease on life,

create a legacy for president and weak prime ministers;

one bearing war,

two born of war,

all torn by zealots, factions, sinister agendas.

All cast the cloak of war’s extremely heavy hand

across the strong and weary shoulders

of their people and their land.

All elected,

the fourth neglected because democracy is lauded

only when results are as expected,

non Judaeo –Christian based theocracy rejected as illusion.

Two not blind to Hamas victory,

a logical conclusion

born of occupation, depravation and starvation

contained by walls in isolation,

willing now to grasp this truth,

confront the moment,

work to shape two nations.

Forty years since Six Day War

these three share history,

and blending hopes and dreams,

envision yet a day of rest.

The seventh day,

an end to constant wicked schemes

by those who wish the battle pressed

to its illogical conclusion;

profiteers promoting hate,

creating the illusion hope and justice lie in war,

in death of Israel or Palestine.

Their path to peace a dialogue

confirming God too great to be defined by one for all.

Forgive and live,

take and give;

make compromise.

Hold peace divine,

that mothers and their children’s children

cease to mourn the first or last of line

as sacrifice to gods of war.

Make peace.

Grant life to Israel and Palestine.

Written on the occasion of A Mideast Summit: Challenges to Peace

Macalister College September 2007