Peace Poetry - Emily

Philip Metres’ essay “Poems for Peace” addresses the issue of peace poetry, the peace movement, and the responsibilities of poets in regards to this movement. He is not alone in pursuing these topics, bringing in views and works by other influential poets to support his exploration. One poet whose opinions he calls on is Denise Levertov. Levertov’s views on peace poetry confront the idea that we know nothing of what peace beside the time between wars. She speaks out for poetry that paves the way for peace. She calls for “poetry of preparation for peace, a poetry of protest, of lament, of praise for the living earth; a poetry that demands justice, renounces violence, reveres mystery.”

It is this concept of peace poetry that Metres explores throughout the essay. He calls upon poets of renown, who exemplify these aspects of peace in their work. A thorough examination of the many kinds of poetry that compose the genre of peace poetry is made, in order to better understand what is being done in the poets’ call for peace. A common theme is that which Levertov calls for- peace, but not just a peace defined by the absence of war. Because this concept is so foreign to us as to be unimaginable, we must rely upon the preparations to which Levertov refers.
In Levertov’s poem “Making Peace” she responds to the address that it is the responsibility of poets to imagine peace. Throughout this poem, references to process of peace are compared directly to the creation of a poem. Both processes have little idea what the finished product will be. It is the creation that provides us with the knowledge of what has been made.

The process of peace, like the process of poetry, is formed through the discourse of the community. As people contribute to the ever evolving ideas and concepts that come to create the notion of peace poetry, a community is formed. By speaking out on these topics, writing essays such as Metres’ and being well read in a wide variety of relevant poetry, an academic atmosphere is created, where those with similar passions can work for a cause. Metres’ essay on peace poetry gives a snapshot of the community as it stands and calls out to others interested in the subject.

Only through diligent work and attention can the idea of peace become realized as no longer merely a concept speculated upon through poetry. A community of poets and intellects working together can bring the concept to those outside merely the realm of literature and show the world the potential of peace movements. It takes all kinds of people, just as peace poetry incorporates all kinds of poems, to transform awareness into action and movements for peace into peace itself. Through the work of peace poetry and through the efforts of poets themselves can peace be realized. It is the academic community that gives these efforts strength and provide a starting point for efforts. If peace can be talked about, or written about, it can be realized. That is the power of peace poetry.