“I Imagine the Whole World At Peace”: A Poem for Election Day

Ecstasy
by Hayden Carruth

For years it was in sex and I thought
This was the most of it

so brief
a moment
or two of transport out of oneself
or
in music which lasted longer and filled me
with the exquisite wrenching agony
of the blues
and now it is equally
transitory and obscure as I sit in my broken
chair that cats have shredded
by the stove on a winter night with wind and snow
howling outside and I imagine the whole world at peace
at peace
and everyone comfortable and warm
the great pain assuaged
a moment
of the most shining and singular gratification.

Dear friends;
On this election day I offer this simple poem to you with its prayer for the quiet joy of what peace could look like and feel like between people, were we to let it come. Savor the thought. Whoever wins the election today, please support them and send them your blessings and prayers.

We, here at Peace By Design, will be taking a hiatus in publication for a while. We are exhausted after months of intense effort and need to rest and restore our energy. We will be back soon. Look for us! Thank you for your loyal readership.