Peace Poem

 
The winning poem in the Mist and Mountain International Poetry Prize on the theme of ‘peace’ is ‘Beirut’ written by Richard Devereux, a member of the Community of Apostles Peter and Paul, Bristol. He has never visited Lebanon. There are no limits on how far imagination can fly. Warm congratulations to Richard on winning this prestige Poetry Prize.
 

Α dove of peace flying the flag of Lebanon

Beirut  
 
I fell in love with you that spring
the bombing stopped. The trees welcomed peace
with such a sigh, with such a blossoming and
promises of such a weight of fruit.
 
I pushed your soft-top out and washed away
the dust, tinkered with the plugs and carb
till she fired up and we set sail along
the ocean road, your hair full to the wind.
 
I remember, we turned off into the hills.
How pleased your father was we had come
to see him. I reminded him of himself, he said,
when he was young, and you reminded him
 
of your mother. He knew both love and peace
are sometimes gone as soon as they arrive.