Poems about Peace

Nota: Compilação de poemas sobre a PAZ realizada pelos alunos da Escola Secundária Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves no âmbito do projeto Connecting Classrooms.

Ano letivo 2012/2013 1

Connecting Classrooms Europe –ENA Cluster

All Live In Peace And Harmony As the world goes spinning round And everything seems upside down There isn't any organization any more Is nothing everlasting, must we live for just today Can no-one find the answer, to help in any way It's just a mixture of joy and sorrow Of laughter, and of tears Do we just dream about tomorrow And about the future years But the world would be a better place to live in If everybody just made up their minds Then we could all live in peace and harmony again Yes we should all live in peace, and harmony again Why can't we all live in peace, and harmony again We should all live in peace, and harmony Vance Freeman

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AMAZING PEACE In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.

At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.

We listen carefully as it gathers strength.

We hear a sweetness.

The word is Peace.

It is loud now.

Louder than the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound.

We are thrilled by its presence.

It is what we have hungered for.

Not just the absence of war. But true Peace.

A harmony of spirit, and comfort of courtesies.

Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.

Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves, And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation: Peace, My Brother.

Peace, My Sister.

Peace, My Soul.

Maya Angelou

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I Dream A World of Peace I dream a world of peace Where people can live a life of ease World where there is no difference between rich and poor Life being pleasant for living ever more

I dream a world of happiness Where there is no sight of selfishness Where each and everyone can get their needs And have belief in their deeds

I dream a world of kindness Where people can know that value of love is priceless Where people could realize that of earth we are all children And to have a kind heart is better for all men I dream of a world of loving mates Where people can realize all are great Where people can know that in this earth With a kind heart people must give birth I dream a world of peace Where people can live a life of ease Riken Shrestha

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Still I Rise You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, 5

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But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise I rise I rise.

Maya Angelou

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I took a walk the other day and I asked Peace to come with me.

We walked in silence most of the way but then Peace whispered that she had something to say.

She sang a song about Peace on Earth and held my hand in friendship She looked into my eyes in a compassionate way She danced like the wind on a calm summer’s eve, and then breathed a sigh which calmed my nerves.

She made a wish that, by her hand, wars would end oppression would end And Justice would reign.

Peace took me in her arms and rocked me to sleep And while I dreamed, Peace became me.

Aashima Khosla

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Give Peace a Chance Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism This-ism, that-ism, ism ism ism All we are saying is give peace a chance All we are saying is give peace a chance (C'mon) Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout Minister, Sinister, Banisters and Canisters, Bishops, Fishops, Rabbis, and Pop Eyes, Bye bye, Bye byes All we are saying is give peace a chance All we are saying is give peace a chance (Let me tell you now) Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout Revolution, Evolution, Masturbation, Flagellation, Regulation, Integrations, mediations, United Nations, congratulations All we are saying is give peace a chance All we are saying is give peace a chance Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout John and Yoko, Timmy Leary, Rosemary, Tommy Smothers, Bobby Dylan, Tommy Cooper, Derek Taylor, Norman Mailer, Alan Ginsberg, Hare Krishna Hare Hare Krishna All we are saying is give peace a chance All we are saying is give peace a chance John Lennon

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Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one John Lennon 9

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The Seeds Of Peace

May I plant the precious seeds of peace in my own soul, and may I tend and nurture this sweet crop with loving care and water it with the gentle rains of tender mercy May those seeds produce a harvest rich of kindness and compassion for my friends and for all humankind. And may this crop be not greedily devoured, but yet shared in equal portions, and ever passed around in generous spirit. And may the plenteous seeds of peace fall on the rich and fertile ground f warm and caring hearts in great abundance For as one tiny spore of peace produces but a small harvest, yet as time goes on, those seeds will multiply, as does faith’s grain of mustard. And the crop in time will yield a bounty most plentiful for our kind labours, with peace enough for all humanity, and the end of futile wars in all lands near and far.

Carol Knepper

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“ Where, after all, do universal rights begin? In small places close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seeen on any map of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person: the neighbourhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless those rights have meaning there, they have little meaning everywhere.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

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My world...

I can say that if I were to make the world, nothing would be in place where it is. Everything would be quiet and peaceful, but not too much, because the situations are eccentric, fun and different if there are adversities.

The society would be like a bird, free to make their own choices, free to fly, but also responsible, without leaving the extremes.

The world would be green and blue ... would be like when we think of the perfect world and we see children playing in a quiet place lively and fun.

But it wouldn’t be just quiet, it would be radical, it would be a place where we could feel the adrenaline of real life, where we could practice and experience all type of sports.

In my world there wouldn’t be wars and struggles, as they only lead to more discussions, pain and sadness. People would accept each other, being friends with each other. It could also mean that there would be no discussions ... I mean ... more or less ... we would exchange ideas, because in my opinion it is very important to know how to distinguish good from evil.

Then my world would be like this. It would be different, outgoing, it would be radical but also quiet and peaceful.

You can say that maybe it seems a world that makes no sense, but this is my world.

A World at peace.

Catarina Velhote – 10ºC

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Poem This poem was nominated by the UN as the best poem of 2006 Written by an African Kid “When I born, I black When I grow up, I black When I go in Sun, I black When I scared, I black When I sick, I black And when I die, I still black And you white fellow When you born, you pink When you grow up, you white When you go in sun, you red When you cold, you blue When you scared, you yellow When you sick, you green And when you die, you gray And you calling me colored??”

I really liked this poem and I can say that I scored! It was written by an African child and we can see some mistakes, which isn’t significant because the poem is amazing.

This poem talks about racism, it is one thing that makes me confused and I don’t understand who doesn’t.

Everything that is written is true! Because we put aside and mistreat people of color and we are those who change color.

Society must begin to understand and accept people of different color, because we are all equal! And if we were in their place, surely we wouldn’t like to be mistreated!

Catarina Velhote – 10ºC 14

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Discrimination

I decided to write this text because I've seen people being abused mainly in a psychological way, just because of their colour.

For me discrimination is when people are treated badly because they are from a different race, have a different color or have a different culture. It’s also when people are abused because they are disabled.

An example of discrimination is when a man treats a boy badly because he is disabled or has a different colour.

Of course, these acts have very serious consequences such as intolerance, indifference, unhappiness... But the worst consequence of being discriminated is when someone decides to commit suicide.

We shouldn’t discriminate other people, because what is important is how people are and their feelings and not their race, color or culture. It is not because a person has a different appearance that is better or worse than another or more or less intelligent.

In order to stop discrimination, first everyone has to be aware of it and change the mindset of society so there can be respect in society and a social equality.

Catarina Velhote – 10ºC

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MULTICULTURALISM

In this text I would like to emphasize the contact between young people from different cultures because I think it is very important. All of us must adapt ourselves to everyone’s ideas, always learning something new with their cultures and lifestyles and respecting them.

We live in a multicultural world and we know that all cultures are essential for a stable world, always taking advantage of all that unites us. This is the only way of living in a balanced and peaceful world.

As young people, we can make a big difference!

Giving the example through values such as justice, honesty and humility and being critical of reality we will contribute to a better world.

The message I want to pass on through this text is: All different, all equal!

Despite the diversity of cultures, all of us have something that unites us!

The well-known international company Benetton prepares several times campaigns against racism and prejudice, calling for equality and respect among human beings.

Mara MaMara – 10º C

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A story in the past…

Christmas Night That night was different from the others. That night was special.

On that night I dreamed a beautiful dream, so beautiful that I didn’t want to wake up. And I didn’t want to wake up because, in that year, people around the table were filled with good will and made a peace agreement that silenced all the guns. And I didn’t want to wake up because in that dream there wasn’t starvation too: in all the houses there was food, even some sweets to give to the little ones. Their eyes sparkled with happiness ...

Our shining pine sang Christmas songs, transmitted joy and comfort to our house. Under the tree, my brother and I wrapped Christmas presents and counted all those glowing and sparkling balls. For us, it was special, no one had a tree like ours. It was a tree made with much love and happiness, with the most important people in our lives, with all the good things in life.

My mother was busy in the kitchen preparing her famous turkey. The truth is, if the turkey was made by someone else, it wouldn’t be the same thing.

And my father received the guests and made the final preparations for that night which was unforgettable. He was right, it was unforgettable.

When we were all at the table, something happened that I will never forget. The person that I most admired appeared, the kindest person on the Earth who only thought of satisfying the happiness of others ... My dear Santa Claus.

With his big smile, he came to me and said: "Christmas isn’t being around a table full of food or surrounded by expensive gifts, but being together with our family and friends, united by friendship and faith in Love. Enjoy all the good times of your life."

He pulled away from me, flashed me a look and walked away. For a child so small, that message had the size of the world. I turned to my parents and I gave them a hug, as big and as strong as my happiness.

It was the best gift that I have received until today.

Beatriz Couto

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My land

The place I would love to go is a place without wars where money doesn’t exist. People would be remunerated with words, magnificent words. And I am thinking to myself, a word can be the best thing that can happen to me. A word is worthier than money or things. This place would be special.

This place would be mine.

And this is how I describe it in detail: it has a warm blue sea, a beach with brilliant sand, the sky is always blue and the sun is always shining. We can do all we want but we have to respect the others. In this land people don’t fight, people help each other. Everyone is happy. On the other hand, on earth, some people aren’t cheerful, therefore they are mean.

In my land, the society is fair and perfect.

My land, the place I love is like this: perfect but simple.

Maria Manuel – 10ºC

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If I were a bird …

A bird is a world A drop falling the opportunity the loss the experience In the flight

It’s what people want to be But they couldn’t.

We ignore the birds we’re jealous of their liberty But deep inside, in spite of the words that we say We continue having the will of flying far away…

To a place where we can get started again But now in a shape of A dreamer bird…

Maria Manuel – 10ºC

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Hi, My name is John and I’m eight years old.

This year my mom told me that I could send a letter to Santa Claus. that usually happens every year but I didn’t want to send it this year. Do you know why? A week ago my teacher in my school told me that there were a lot of children that didn’t have even food to eat, that they didn’t go to school every day like us in my country. And she told me there were a lot of poor children around the world. I thought about that about and took a decision. I wouldn’t send a letter to the north polo but to your country because I know that you are going through a very difficult life.

My mom has become surprised with my choice, I didn’t understand why and I explained that there are things more important than toys, and I told her that I felt selfish to have all those things when other children didn’t. So if you can’t count on Santa Claus, I prefer to send you my words to give you strength to go through all your sorrow. You are my brother now and I care about you. Don’t think about the evil human being because he does a lot of bad things too but we can be happy in our own way. And I know that you will find your own way, I’ll help you! We can be happy together. We can play together even afar. We can be confidents. We can share our feelings and above all the things, we can live the Christmas together!

The World will be better if we come together.

See you soon!

Sofia – 10ºC

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“Education a right or a privilege?”

I think that Education is a privilege but that somehow is seen like something bad and boring. There are a lot of children that dream every day to go to school somewhere in the world. However, there are children that have the opportunity to go and have a lot of sophisticated materials too. This proves that the human being just misses something when he can´t have it.

When we ask to a child that goes to school every day by car, what she thinks about school, maybe she would say that it is a right and is boring and is exhausting and is… but if we ask to a boy in Africa that walks many miles on foot to go to school every day, he will maybe say that he loves it and it´s the most wonderful thing that he can have.

So this imbalance is very sad because there are the ones who have many things that don’t even nearly use and don´t give appropriate importance to and there are the others that don´t have the basic things for a good life. I hope that one day this will be more balanced and the significance of things will be worthier. I hope that one day we can say everybody has the right to go to school and has the right to a proper education.

Sofia – 10ºC

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Racism exists around the world.

Racists define one race as a group of people who have the same ancestry and differentiate the races with the basis on physical characteristics such as skin color.

In my opinion racism should not exist, because we are all different, but at the same time we are equal, we all have two eyes, a mouth, two ears, one brain, one heart, we all have the same skills, know how to think and talk, but what changes in us is our skin color and often our culture and origins.

Today there is a lot of racial discrimination, which results in polemics and conflicts in societies. Many times we hear such nasty comments about the black races. Also when there is a robbery, people tend to associate it to black people, if a homicide happens, people associate it to the Gypsies, I think people should not accept this type of prejudices, because we have always been taught to respect others "different from us" and we all have the right to be respected.

The scorn, discrimination, the wars, the lack of humanism have their origin in racism. This prejudice has come from generations to generations and to the present day with the same kind of influences from the past. Many of the world wars, poverty, hunger, social inequities resulting from racism and anti-racism will be difficult to overcome, but it will not be impossible.

Sara Vedor

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I’m a bird.

I was in a cage.

It was big, beautiful, a place I could call home.

Except it wasn’t.

I’m a bird.

I was caged in a house I couldn’t call home Simply because my owner and I didn’t sing the same song And when we did, we did it in different keys.

I’m a bird.

One day, he opened my cage accidently And I flew away.

I spread my wings; I let the wind and the winter melody guide me.

The saddest, loneliest journey I had ever had.

The only journey I had had.

I’m a bird.

I ended up here, Right in the middle of the beach.

But it’s okay.

I realize that the sea is my favourite thing And being next to your first love is sure to be a good ending.

I’m a bird.

I was a bird.

Inês – 10ºC 23

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A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

When Father Time met Mother Earth he gave her a great big juicy kiss Mother Earth’s temperature began to rise now her life is filled with bliss Father Time said to Mother Earth “I will love you twenty-four hours a day” to which Mother Earth replied “OOH! La La!” then they began to play Mother Earth then span with joy that made Father Time tick they were destined to be together their encounter did the trick Now Mother Earth wrapped in Father Time as he embraces her twenty four, seven eternally they are joined together a match made in heaven.

Levi Tafari

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MELANIN

Melanin I love you you mean so much to me Oh! Melanin your beauty is far richer than the eye can see my Melanin embraces me from my head to my toes Oh! Melanin I would never forsake this I want you to know.

You lie with me when I sleep at night you guide me through the day you take me to a higher height I love to watch you play I often face heavy abuse when you’re out with me some people haven’t got my Melanin so they show their jealousy but no matter what they say or do it won’t stop me from loving you 25

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my Melanin precious Melanin the pigmentation of my skin.

Levi Tafari

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OZONE FRIENDLY POEM It won’t damage the EARTH Or pollute the sea It won’t psych your mind Neither poison your body These words have power When used properly Because This poem is OZONE FRIENDLY Words can sound creative Words can sound great We can use words instruct And to communicate These words are not destructive Violating a tree Because This poem is OZONE FRIENDLY My words take shape They are organised They won’t burn the EARTH’S skin Like pesticides They’re not manufactured using CFC’s Because This poem is OZONE FRIENDLY 27

Digest these words Feel positive Don’t panic get stressed They’re free from additives You won’t regurgitate them Like smoke from a factory Because This poem is OZONE FRIENDLY These words are SAFE I can testify They won’t destroy the OZONE LAYER Beyond the sky You can analyse this poem In a laboratory You’ll find This poem is OZONE FRIENDLY Recycle, regenerate Don’t waste energy Conservation of the EARTH Is just apart of the Key And I’ll keep using these words Well naturally You see This poem is OZONE FRIENDLY Levi Tafari 28

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There will be no Peace until there is Justice, No Justice until there is Understanding, No Understanding until there is Honesty, No Honesty until there is Humility, No humility until there is Wisdom, No Wisdom until there is Love, The Institute for the Study of Non-Violence

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.

Nelson Mandela

Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.

Nelson Mandela If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy.

Then he becomes your partner.

Nelson Mandela

I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could.

Mahatma Gandhi

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The foundation of my beliefs is the same as it was when I was 10. Nonviolence.

Joan Baez

Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.

Mahatma Gandhi

Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.

Mahatma Gandhi

Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.

Thomas A. Edison

Non-violence, which is the quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain.

Mahatma Gandhi

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I do not hold to non-violence for moral reasons, but for political and practical reasons.

Aung San Suu Kyi

If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.

Mohandas Gandhi

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone, will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

Thich Nhat Hanh

To make peace with an enemy one must work with that enemy and that enemy becomes one’s partner.

Nelson Mandela

One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Our common humanity is more important than all the things that divide us.

Mairead Corrigan

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Nonviolence is the weapon of the strong.

Betty Williams

I believe history teaches us a categorical lesson: that once a people are determined to become free, then nothing in the world can stop them reaching their goal.

Bishop Desmond Tutu

I really do inhabit a system in which words are capable of shaking the entire structure of government, where words can prove mightier than ten military divisions.

Vaclav Havel

We are constantly being astonished these days at the amazing discoveries in the field of violence. But I maintain that far more undreamt of and seemingly impossible discoveries will be made in the field of nonviolence.

Mohandas Gandhi

Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.

Martin Luther King, Jr. “We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.�

Martin Luther King Jr.

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“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. (from "Loving Your Enemies")” Martin Luther King Jr.

“The choice is not between violence and nonviolence but between nonviolence and nonexistence.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.

Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

Martin Luther King Jr 34

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“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

"If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace."

Thich Nhat Hanh

"I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there."

Mother Teresa

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

"It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace."

Shenandoah proverb 35

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"We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace."

William Gladstone

"When my heart is at peace, the world is at peace."

Chinese Proverb

"There never was a good war or bad peace."

Benjamin Franklin

"Peace is always beautiful."

Walt Whitman

"If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world."

Thomas Merton

"If you scramble about in search of inner peace, you will lose your inner peace."

Lao Tzu

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"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."

Black Elk

"Better indeed is knowledge than mechanical practice. Better than knowledge is meditation. But better still is surrender of attachment to results, because there follows immediate peace."

Bhagavad Gita

"If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work."

Thich Naht Hanh

"This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."

Peace Pilgrim

"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family."

Mother Teresa

"Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace."

Buddha

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"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn."

John Muir

"I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed."

Dalai Lama

If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors, There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart.

Lao Tzu 38

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Dream of Peace I know I don't know you but I love you.

I know we are strangers but I think a hug will do.

Don't have enough for your milk? I will pay the rest.

It starts with one act, one simple kindness.

World peace starts small, it begins with one.

With one easy gesture it has begun.

When we show care or concern, express how we feel.

This is how our broken hearts begin to heal.

It starts in one little town, on the main street.

We start moving to a rhythm, pulsing like a heartbeat.

It is a magical sound, a catchy tune.

It spreads around the globe and drifts to the moon.

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This is my dream of peace.

This is my hope of healing.

It starts on a small scale.

It starts with one feeling.

This world is a disaster, it has become a mess.

We need to aim for the stars, reach for success.

We must educate the people, let our voices be heard.

The peace movement has begun, start spreading the word.

LauraSue Gutierrez-Simmons

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Together In Unity I see you on the street, and you too, see me.

Outside we are different – and not coincidentally.

We have our clicks, clichés’ and circle of friends but you don’t understand me, or recognize where I fit in.

I seek your approval, your understanding of my form.

I do not appreciate your conderation to attempt to do me bodily harm.

I am in a position to do something special for you, but you never welcome the opportunity so we will never see it through.

You see me on the corner, and I see you in the store, our cultures are so adversely different so I choose to simply ignore.

Rather than seek understanding from something that challenges what I already know, I shut my heart, my mind and my bowels of compassion by repressing and suppressing every emotion that could flow.

No smile for you today.

No, “you’re welcome” “thank you” or “please.”

I won’t even render a “God bless you,” when I hear you sneeze.

Why is it, if I am hurting you desire to make it even worse?

I tell you, hating is a disease and it’s something we practice and rehearse.

So many, different nations and colors of skin, as

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beautiful as the rainbows are and the clouds that blend in.

Many are our afflictions but seldom do we portray any regard for another, at least not for public display.

Actors on a stage and perhaps musicians on a string, every instrument has a place and a unique sound to bring.

The springs run to the river and the rivers to the seas, the seas to the oceans and supply water to the trees.

If nature can come together and all work hand in hand, why humanity would think any different; is what I find hard to understand.

If we could come together and look through, our other pair of eyes, maybe we could see pass what we are saying and instead just recognize; recognize we all have a condition that somehow needs a physician’s attention, whether physical or not.

Take a pill, a pill of agape love as medication and release our hatred on the spot.

Selfishness and unforgiveness will not heal our land.

Compassionate, caring people will, while using tender praying hands.

We, as a people have to begin to listen and communicate, then reduce our self value and importance to our individual destinies’ that wait.

We could sit down to reason together and possibly work out a compromise, one that would be effective in reducing killings, mutilations, basically to salvage human lives.

When you speak, I listen and vice-versa would be nice.

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I hear what you’re saying and literally sleep on it or think on it once or twice.

Putting another above oneself and ones ways,

would be quite refreshing and exhilarating or what if we awakened each morning with the thought of brightening each others’ days.

We need the salt to preserve and we need love to restore.

If we don’t have understanding then love is what we should explore.

Your blood inside is red, and all our blood is the same.

My heart beats, I breathe, eat and drink but why should any of this have to change?

We should all be able to come together and build up, in unity.

I respect your right as well, to agree or to disagree.

It’s not necessary to seek revenge, just be strong enough to accept that fact.

After all, we are supposed to be adults, so responsibly is how we are required to act.

For over two-thousand years hatred and discord has been in place causing anguish, unnecessary hurt, shame and disgrace.

What would it hurt us to try something different, and revert back to basic law?

Love your neighbor as yourself and don’t pick at differences or claw.

Life used to be so peaceful, sleeping outside on front porch swings.

Children playing innocently and disclosing secret dreams.

Love was taught at home; strict rules were placed and kept.

I respect you and you respect everyone including yourself.

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Prayer was welcomed and never offended.

Can we try to continue what God started in order for our nations to be mended?

Come let us reason, together in unity.

There is peace and healing waiting and we each have the ability.

Come let us reason together in unity.

For world healing and world peace we all must care for change and take responsibility.

Come let us reason together in unity.

I value you as a person and will you also value me?

Loretta L. Hardrick

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Short Story - Name?

- Minaj.

- Age? - 37 years old,sir.

-Country?

-Trinidad and Tobago.

- What are you coming for?

- Work, sir, if I can find one.

-Well then, you have 30 days to find a job and give us proof of it, or else you’ll get deported. You can enter the country, now.

Needless to say, almost 20 years ago, he couldn’t find a job within the first 30 days. He stayed, anyway, trying to give me and my sister Salima a good life. He has been working as a gardener for the Mayor for the last 18 years, and my mother is an elementary school teacher. We are happy.

My name is Damion or Dejon, I’m not sure. On the first day of elementary school, my teacher changed my name from Dejon to Damion, saying that, if I wanted to live as an US citizen , I’d have to be named like one as well.

Now, I’m 18 years old, and since that day I’ve always been called Damion, except at home.

The USA are at war. No, the USA are at war with my country and I have to fight or else I’ll be deported. It’s the worst of wars: home against home.

I remember it was the day I arrived at the camp. I was tired and wanted nothing more than to go back home. And then, I saw her. She was like an angel in the middle of the hell that my life was.

Her name was Nicki and she was a nurse. I found myself finding the smallest excuse to go to the medical centre just so I could see and talk to her. We talked almost everyday. She helped me find my identity, so I fought for America.

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Three months later, I was back at the camp and running towards the medical centre to see her and ask her to marry me. And then I knew Nicki had been killed in a rebel attack, because she was an immigrant like me.

Once again, prejudice won.

12º C

Inês Santos Maria Alzamora Maria Soares Rafael Dias

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Completely Free I believe in freedom I dream about a sunny day With you and me Discrimination away

I believe in freedom I would like to be your slave Your slavery makes me brave Like the spirt of a whale

I believe in freedom With no prejudice and wickedness Just strong and equal people Living with happiness

I believe in freedom In a world of perfection Where the smile prevails As well as affection 12º C I believe in freedom

Gonçalo Neves

With no gun

Maria Inês

Just love and kisses

Patrícia Pinho

Nothing to hurt but fun Tatiana Pinto I believe in freedom

Helena Pereira

And freedom is all I believe 48

Connecting Classrooms Europe –ENA Cluster

12º C “We find freedom inside, nowhere else, in the heart of every human being is that one space which is free, which is filled wih harmony and which is full of love and respect.”

Gonçalo Neves

“Freedom is always and exclusively freedom for the one who thinks differently.”

Patrícia Pinho

“You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he/she has his/her freedom.”

Maria Inês 49

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Freedom and Peace

My freedom, our freedom You free my soul You relax our minds You give wings to my body I feel you inside me

12ÂşC

I think abou you

Catarina Oliveira

You accompany me

Filipa Teixeira

You are good for our life And we lik to be your slave

Isabela Teixeira Mariana Matos

Peace is our freedom Our friendship And the harmony between us

We just dream about it A world in complete tranquility

We breathe this, this inspires us

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This image transmits a real and an important message, a message against racism and prejudice. These bodies make us reflect upon our attitudes to our own race, the human race. Sometimes we forget that in spite of our differences, colour of skin, colour of eyes, body shape or even our religion, we are all human .The black, the white, the gay, the straight, the religious, the atheist, me, you, all of us can forget our race’s problems and start our lives with a new spirit. Besides being black, white, Asian or European we are all HUMAN BEINGS! But if no one makes this effort, the world will be destroyed earlier than we think!

All different, all equal

Maria Manuel – 10ªC

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Short Story Freedom Hi, my name is Walter and I am 7 years old. I’m from South Africa and I live in a village called Kraal.

It’s the Year of 1960. Every night I have nightmares, I see my family being hurt by the white ones. They say I can’t understand but they are wrong. My life is the nightmare. Every day I wake up before the sun to fetch water with my mom and sisters. On the way home when the sun is already up; I see pretty girls on the other side of the road going to school hand by hand with their fathers, living their perfect lives, while I’m on this side of the road, carrying water, surviving each day at a time.

However, I can dream and I have a big dream. I dream that one day we could have a real house, living in a world where children like me could live next to the children like them, be allowed to go to school and learn like them, be capable of being on the same side as them. I have a dream that one day I can be free.

I didn’t survive to see my dream come true, but I’m happy that finally Black and White can play together.

12ºC Ana Rita Neves André Chaves João Monteiro Helena Lopes

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