It's Your Turn Now

          It's Your Turn Now

"But Mary treasured up all these things

And pondered them in her heart."

All right, Mary, you've pondered long enough.

For two thousand years, the boys have had every possible opportunity,

And they're still fighting their wars.

It's your turn now.

The men are still tossing pennies to the poor.

It's your turn now.

The men have cut down most of the olive trees,

And have poisoned most of the wells.

Now it's your turn.

We do not need another sacrificial victim.

We need mother teaching daughter.

For centuries, mothers have sent their sons off to war.

Now it's time for mothers to send their daughters off

To build a lasting peace.

I'm sorry, Mary, but

It's your turn . . . now. 

     from On a Starry Night

     John Slade

     Woodgate International

     www.woodgateintl.com