Fats here.
For Poetry Friday this week, I am sharing excerpts from Shalom, Salaam, Peace, a picture book written by Howard I. Bogot and illustrated by Norman Gorbaty. The book has a mult-lingual text, offering the verses in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. Gorbaty’s vibrant illustrations will appeal to children of all ages. This is a lovely book that encourages us to make peace as our universal goal.
Please note that I started from the back of the book. I’m not sure if that’s how it should be read but it just made more sense to me when I read the book that way. Also, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to agencies working toward peace in the Middle East.
Head over to Carol’s Corner for the poetry round-up!
Shalom, Salaam, Peace
We know what peace means
when buses filled with
clapping hands travel
to and fro on rainbow
highways in the sky
When love is everywhere,
and tears roll wet and salty
from joy-filled eyes
that once saw only sadness.
[…]
when dreams become
workers working,
hungry tummies fed and
happy children feeling
sometimes scared,
surprised and angry,
but always safe;
[…]
when wishes come true
for those who want to
live in houseboats, tents,
apartments,
mud huts, palaces, tree houses,
homes of stone, brick or wood;
“Peace for me is a beautiful flower — on whose every petal a child has written the name of his country — Germany, Sweden, Russia, England & Israel — and every Spring people come to see the blossoming flower.” – Debbie, 10 years old
Gathering Books 
What a beautiful picture book, both in words and illustrations. Definitely looks like one I need to own. Peace for me- walking barefoot along a quiet beach, or sitting with a book under a tree at the Botanic Gardens, or hanging out with my sons, days when they are relaxed and not fighting the demons of their foster child past.
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Peace is a rainy morning spent curled up on the couch, completely engrossed in a good book.
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