Peace

What peace is, what it is not,
therein lies the key.
What peace is, what it is not.
Peace is a godsend
to be carefully nurtured at all times.

Peace is always a godsend
to be carefully crafted,
peace is always a godsend
that once achieved
must go on being honed.

Peace is neither still,
nor sluggish,
nor idle.
Peace makes rugged slopes smooth
and evens out hollows.

Peace demands
timely work
from us.
Peace poses problems:
arguments and clashes.

Peace is like a path
that is paved as you walk along it,
an ongoing task.
The pace of peace
is set by our progress.

Peace is and is not
a godsend that moves forward.
It is brought about by progress,
it emerges and comes about
when obstacles are overcome.

In matters of peace
the problem is my neighbour,
seldom one closer, myself;
but the key is so often
to be found in oneself.

Peace is costly,
its name is cheap;
peace is costly.
It is hugely difficult and delicate,
peace is justice.

Bitoriano Gandiaga

(Translated from the Basque language by Sarah J. Turtle)