Declaration In Flight Poem by Frank Bana

The aircraft in ascent, I swore
To write something of beauty, that would prove
Enough to lighten hearts, and cause
The world to celebrate, elders of Zion
& Palestine convert each other
To a peace of faith, the scientists
Of terror & martial machines
To dance together in the lands they freed
And donate to those in need. The husbands
Of war-widows be restored. The tortured
To return to the genesis of pain,
Smiling at torturers whose hands
Will not be raised again. The souls
Burning in loneliness of love be healed
By cool streams of compassion
Received without demand, given without aim.
The children born in poverty be lifted by
Abundant arms & those abused
Finding the shore
Where nothing will be fearful anymore.

Can some mere mess of words provoke all this
As if a Declaration, made to last
By desperate hope & stubborness?
Can it hurt in the attempt? Advance
The cause of our humanity an inch, even a step?
It's a long and weary flight and there's
A baby by my side.
Give it a try.