Peace Pilgrim, You Are Still Walking

For any of you who are looking for more inspiration from those who have walked the inner path of nonviolence ahead of us: if you have not heard of Peace Pilgrim, you would do well to learn of her life. She touched the heart of Naomi Shihab Nye, the author of the following poem (provided to us by our beloved poet-neighbor Bill Denham), and she has touched our hearts, as well. She is a true exemplar of peace experienced and lived with love.

Metta Center has gift copies of Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words available for anyone who would like one. Please drop by our office to pick up a copy if you are interested. And in the meantime, enjoy the poem!

Peace Pilgrim, You Are Still Walking

on the long roads, late at night. So many years

after you died, you’re not off the hook, you’re keeping

the pace, swinging your strong arms.

Who among us found a clearer way?

I shall not accept more than I need

while others in the world have less than they need.

We can work on inner peace and world peace

at the same time. Little people of the world,

may we never feel helpless again.

I marveled at your many-layered pinecone heart

and 3 possessions: toothbrush, postage stamps, comb.

Walk till given shelter, fast till given food.

Still, you’re starting before dawn,

pausing at a roped-off trail that says,

THIS IS NO LONGER A FOOTPATH,

shaking your head. I’m sorry you can’t rest yet.

One day I woke thinking, it’s good you’re dead.

We’re still fools in a world of war.

Then I recalled the navy canvas of your suit,

how it always felt fresh, not tired.

We listened as hard as we could. What can’t we learn?

I would establish a peace department in our government.

Under the swollen orange moon.

On the rim of the sad city, in a cardboard box under the overpass,

you held the calm and the strong conviction.

Oh Peace. Dear Peace.

Don’t give up on us. Don’t leave us stranded, please.

– Naomi Shihab Nye

Mildred Norman Ryder, the woman known as “Peace Pilgrim,” began walking in 1953 for the termination of the Korean War, a U.S. Department of Peace, and for nuclear disarmament. She counted the miles she had walked until she reached 25,000 in 1964, but she continued making pilgrimages across the country until the time of her death by car accident in 1981, according to the Friends of Peace Pilgrim Web site.

Peace Pilgrim spoke often of the “freedom of simplicity” and urged those who wished to contribute to world peace to first abandon material desires and achieve peace within themselves, says www.peacepilgrim.org. You can hear Peace Pilgrim’s voice and feel the power of her personality in this (1 hour) inspiring documentary.