Please we want Peace (Revised)

In my writing group I read out the following poem and some changes were made, so here is the revised version:

Please we want peace

Thirty years of pain

Hatred running through the veins

Of those who kill

Bombs go off, people are murdered

Family members grieve

Yet the guilty go free

Then a peace agreement is signed

The two sides come together

And everything feels all-right

But hatred continues to thrive

People are still being killed

And families weep the night away

What do we have to do

To live in peace and harmony?

Please let us know

We can’t stick it any longer

Please, no more fighting.

Just give up your guns

We are down on our knees

Begging you please

Let us live without fear

If one side can lay down their arms

Then why can’t all

Just give up this war.

Lay down your guns

Let everyone know

That religious hatred is no more

Jo Anne Kennedy

September 2005 © 

Revised February 2015