Statue of Peace

(On the proposal of having a statue of the Mahatma erected

in the permanent Headquarters of the United Nations)

BY MIRZA BEGUM NAMAZI, M.A.

(Lecturer, Maharani’s College, Bangalore)

Benignly smiles the Messenger of Peace

In benediction o’er the nations of the world;

Persuading Christians to Christianity,

Muslims to Islam, and Hindus

To the ancient cult of Peace.

Nations are born of the phoenix:

They crumble into dust,

But recreate themselves from their own ashes.

And Love is the germ of recreation.

Wish love, a frail man for his despairing people won

A lost Empire;

Discord is lulled and trust prevails

Where justice reigns supreme.

Let the nations follow the silent guide before them.

Love and justice may yet prove

Effective armour 'gainst the atom bomb.

Sanest philosopher of the modern Age;

Great through goodness: one gentle voice

Straining to still the storm of hate.

Nations he honoured, not for their high-sounding

Imperial titles, neither for the wonders

They had brought to light through science,

Nor yet for poetic achievement, nor Art,

But for their lowliness of heart,

Their neighbourliness, Comradeship and kindly courtesy.

Yet another guiding star has risen in the East,

To lead into the path of glory

The war-worn nations of the West,

And weak-willed nations of the East.

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