Author Description

In this fifth year's book of poems and drawings on peace and justice, poets and visual artists from Greater Cincinnati, ages 10 to 85 years, combined their voices and their visions fora better world. Fifty one poets and 36 visual artists, with eloquence and acuity, strengthenedeach other's hopes and dreams. They rejected a grim status quo, denounced unjust societalwrongs, renounced violence and its consequences, and welcome a change in values towardscompassion, forgiveness and understanding.In a world torn apart by wars and injustice, these artists questioned the reasons for violence,wept for the dead, worried for the vulnerable mother and child, revolted for the oppressed poor,homeless and weak, rejected inequality, expressed concern for the battered environment. Theychallenged the prevailing societal values of materialism, consumerism and domination, andpainted a beautiful world, one of diversity and equality, where peace is based on truth, justice,equal opportunity and kindness.With their lucid song, these artists also confronted the evil in this world and promised to standup for the fight. Their song is an appeal to each of us to join in and make a change; it seeks toeliminate our isolation and loneliness and invites us to hold hands and share in the same wellof strength and energy for a better world.