Haiku *
Chris Spies
May 2016
I wrote these Haiku poems for the final closing session for participants of the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) DPA Dialogue and Mediation Course. Haiku is a form of poetry, first made popular in Japan, which has become appreciated around the world. The poem has seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five.
United Nations —
Divided societies
Building peace for all
~
Political work:
Who ever said it’s easy?
There are no soft skills
~
UNDPA:
Shall we use our energies
To listen deeply?
~
Is our message clear
—Prevention better than cure?—
Or just a slogan?
~
Building blocks for peace
Can we measure our efforts
For effectiveness?
~
You are a leader
Use your imagination
To inspire all
~
Don’t get in the way
Of those who build their own peace
Keep your ego out
~
It’s not about us
It’s all about the people
That is our purpose
~
Follow your calling
To rehumanise the world
And foster healing
Chris Spies
May 2016
I wrote these Haiku poems for the final closing session for participants of the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) DPA Dialogue and Mediation Course. Haiku is a form of poetry, first made popular in Japan, which has become appreciated around the world. The poem has seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five.
United Nations —
Divided societies
Building peace for all
~
Political work:
Who ever said it’s easy?
There are no soft skills
~
UNDPA:
Shall we use our energies
To listen deeply?
~
Is our message clear
—Prevention better than cure?—
Or just a slogan?
~
Building blocks for peace
Can we measure our efforts
For effectiveness?
~
You are a leader
Use your imagination
To inspire all
~
Don’t get in the way
Of those who build their own peace
Keep your ego out
~
It’s not about us
It’s all about the people
That is our purpose
~
Follow your calling
To rehumanise the world
And foster healing
