An Untapped Source of Peace

by Jean Shinoda Bolen

Untapped source of peace

The only real hope Is to draw upon

the collective wisdom of women.
Those with direct experience of the
cost of war:
The life of child, grandchild, sibling,
spouse,
The loss of limb or mind of someone
near and dear,
The loss of laughter, the pervasiveness
of fear.
The loss of hope for the future.

Untapped source of peace

Those who have known domestic
violence:
The effect of bullying on sons,
Seen daughters become silent,
Seen light go out in their eyes.
Those who know
That when every child matters,
When none are hungry, abused, or
discounted,
The world will become a kinder
place
For us all.

Untapped source of peace

Women with empathy Who live in a world apart, Are safe, loved, and fortunate Yet can imagine Being helpless, beaten, and raped, Then forced to bear a child Conceived in violence. Women who know in their hearts That what happens to any woman Anywhere Could happen to them.

Untapped source of peace

Women who see loved ones filled with vengeance and hate, Hypervigilant, fear-ridden, or afraid to sleep Because of the nightmares. Husbands, fathers, sons, and now daughters Home from wars Bearing little resemblance to who they could have been In a peaceful world.

Untapped source of peace

Women in circles,
Women connecting,
Women together
Bringing the sacred feminine,
Maternal instinct, sister archetype,
Mother power
Into the world.

Distinguished LIfe Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former board member of the Ms. Foundation for women, and the author of multiple books. See http://jeanbolen.com.