For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. (Jer. 6:13-14)

All the guardians of the public weal
bask in their benisons of blood and steel,
crying, “Peace, peace!” when there is no peace.

Dutiful boys in dungarees die.
enlisted to their destruction by
false claims for peace, when there is no peace.

Graves in the vineyards, graves in the spare
holy of holies, where the silences are,
in our prayers for peace, when there is no peace.

Juvenile heroes in stolen cars
kill each other in religious wars,
looting for peace, when there Is no peace.

Men held to be held in public esteem
nurture a common, pecuniary scheme
on calls for peace, when there Is no peace.

Pretty young girls in shopping malls shed
quiet tears for boys remotely dead:
requiescat in paces, when there Is no peace.

Such is the coming of the word—
the inaudible thundering of an unheard,
unnatural peace, when there is no peace.

Voices at a loss in a wilderness
would win us to a wisdom in our distress,
xenophilous for peace, when there is no peace.

You lament for the peace, when there is no peace.
Zion is peace, when there is no peace.