Results of IFLAC Peace Poetry and Story Contest 2013 for Children

Text: Solveig Hansen

For this contest, we asked children to send us their stories about peace and/or love. The happy winners are: Hasan Dokhan, Amal Dahamshie and Hadar Topaz, all from Israel. Well done!

The IFLAC interns at the time, Ariana Caraffa and Phillip A. Maciaszek, who hosted the contest, were impressed. “I was taken aback by how much love, maturity, and acceptance is present in these young children,” Ariana said. “This simply proves further the necessity of promoting a peace culture amongst youth, in the hope that this translates to a future and sustainable peace.” Phillip agreed, “It is truly rewarding and fascinating reading through the childrens’ stories and learn what peace means to them.”

THE PEACE

By Hasan Dokhan, Israel

Amer is a naïve smiling man, all the people love him.
One day he goes with his neighbors to the market
In the big city to enjoy himself.
He stops in the center of the road,
He sees a battalion of soldiers that are carrying
Guns and sharp tools.
He wonders and asks who are these men
And where are they going?
A man answers – they are our soldiers
They are going to the war.

He wonders more
And asks what are they doing in the war?
The man answers: they burn and kill and steal.
Amer shakes his head and the tears flow from his eyes.
He asks: why are they fighting?
The man answers – to reach peace.
Amer thinks and then he says: to reach peace
They are killing innocent children and destroying homes
And burning fields! It is strange!
Amer becomes an angry man
He does not laugh or smile anymore.

Dear peace, come and paint
On people’s faces a great smile again.

LOVE

By Amal Dahamshie, Israel

Love thoughts bring passion
For those who understand
Love is the origin of life –
Life is not beautiful but love illuminates it
Not everyone says: I love love ليس كل شخص قال أٌحَب أَحَبْ
Treason destroys, but love builds.
Love does not paint on paper
But draws in love’s heart.

Do not hate because hate is ugly
Love people because love is gorgeous,
Share love with people
In order to be a good person,
Mark your flowing life with loved ones…
Make your life full of tenderness
Send your peace to everyone,
Make the two of you love life.

Love does not want to lose you
It does not bother you and does not neglect you
This so-called love.
Love gives opportunities to become the best and finest
Love is the language of the eyes of lovers.
Love is a Sultan above the rule
And its capital is the heart.
Love is the oldest of all ages and أعرقها
If we did not have love we wouldn’t be alive!
Love is wisdom, it lives in each residence,
It does not have any material interest.
We send our love in love letters
The most beautiful letters are LOVE.

MY PEACE DREAM

By Hadar Topaz, Israel

For me peace is
No violence
No hitting
No killers in the area
Quiet on all coasts
No houses damaged
No children killed by bombs
Like in Syria –
No danger to anybody
And love and understanding
Will embrace all children in
The whole world.

 

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