United Nations

Peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

The United Nations flag symbolizes the UN’s work to achieve peace throughout the world.

The Ways of our Days

In these days of democracy

and demagoguery conflation

what will it take to

regain peace in our nations?

What if each of us

were to 

Cop an attitude

of love and gratitude

One that thinks of the 

Thou’s and Thee’s

before the I’s or the Me’s

One that acts with a view

of years more than a few

when it comes to resources 

that never renew

One that takes the high way

throughout those six days

when not sitting in 

some sort of pew

And rather than more

rumors spew,

Repeat only

what is 

good, lovely 

and true

Always for you,

M.A. Hastings

Poetry Backstories

I initially wrote “The Ways of our Days” for the Peace On and With the Earth Poetry Contest, here in Gainesville, Florida. I’m posting the poem here today, though, as a celebration of United Nations Day, and its emphasis on peace this year.

The United Nations charter took effect on October 24,1945, with a mission “to preserve world peace by protecting Human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development and upholding international law.

My first memory of the UN was as a fourth grader. My mother told me through her tears that Dag Hammarskjold had died in an airplane crash, while on a peace-keeping mission to the Congo. She greatly admired his effectiveness as the UN’s second Secretary General.

President John F. Kennedy was also an ardent admirer, calling Hammarskjold “the greatest statesman of our century”.

I didn’t know, as a youngster, how Dag Hammarskjöld had coupled his personal faith with the UN’s mandated mission of peace-making and created what he called ‘preventive diplomacy’. Under his leadership in negotiating agreements and understandings in the spirit of peace, the United Nations membership of sovereign nations nearly doubled.

I read recently that the Swedish Hammarskjöld kept a daily journal that he considered his own "negotiations" with himself and with God. I consider his journal entry on the day he assumed the position as the Secretary General of the United Nations a call to us all now:

“For all that has been, Thanks.  To all that shall be, Yes.” 

We all know who, like Dag Hammarskjold, has worked tirelessly, as our President, for the cause of peace at home and abroad for the past four years. We’ve also heard which Presidential candidate is committed to continuing to uphold our constitutional government and the peaceful transition of power and the one who has stated repeatedly that he will (again) refuse to do so.

In celebration of United Nations Day, let us decide today to vote for the way of peace through the democratic rule of law.

Always for you,

M.A. Hastings