Why War? Poem by Jude Ogunade

Why wars in our world?
When would we stop wars?
Where is another word for war?
What would end wars in our world?
When would the wicked ones
Stop winning us to war?

When would we stop weeping from wars?
When we can weigh our word
And with wisdom mend our fences
When we can weigh our chances
And with wisdom weaken our warful utterances
And in a warm way win with words

Why wars in our own world?
When would we put out the fire of wars?
Where are our generals for peace
Who will with wisdom make war cease?
What will make our wise ones win with words?
When would the wicked ones stop winning us to wars?

What wars can win is nothing but bullets
Pain, unwelcomed wants and unnecessary needs
What words can win is something more meaningful
Than battles, tanks, riffles and bombs
Why do we have to wait for war?
When we can willingly wake with words
What war can win
Words with wisdom will warmly win!

(1998 University of Lagos, Nigeria)