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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Peacemaking Is Hard" by Daniel Berrigan is a profound reflection on the challenges of striving for peace in a world often dominated by conflict. The poem delves into the inherent difficulties of peacemaking, comparing it to the rigors of war but ultimately affirming it as a more valuable and life-affirming endeavor. Through vivid imagery and deep spiritual undertones, Berrigan explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and resurrection, drawing a parallel between the act of peacemaking and the Christian narrative of Easter. The opening lines starkly declare that peacemaking is "hard almost as war," immediately setting up a comparison between two seemingly opposed but equally arduous paths. The distinction Berrigan makes—that peacemaking is something "we can stake life upon / and limb and thought and love"—suggests that unlike war, which often results in destruction and loss, peacemaking involves a commitment that affirms life and its most precious aspects. Berrigan uses the metaphor of staking the poem "dead man to a dead stick" to evoke the image of Christ's crucifixion, a moment of ultimate sacrifice and suffering. This metaphor serves to illustrate the poet's hope ("to tempt an Easter chance") that from the depths of despair and apparent defeat, new life and truth ("if faith may be / truth") can emerge. The reference to "our evil chance / penultimate at last, / not last" reflects a belief in redemption and the possibility of overcoming evil with good, suggesting that the worst outcomes are not the end of the story. The poem transitions to a moment of revelation as the speaker recognizes the power of words ("When these lines gathered / of no resource at all / serenity and strength") to inspire and transform. The imagery of "a man stood on his nails" further invokes the crucifixion, while "an ash like dew, a sweat / smelling of death and life" captures the paradoxical nature of this pivotal event—simultaneously marking death and the promise of new life. "Our evil Friday fled," signifies the passing of suffering and the turning of the "blind face gently turned / another way. Toward Life." This line signifies a shift from despair to hope, from death to resurrection. The concluding image of "A man walks in his shroud" encapsulates the resurrection theme, suggesting a triumph over death and the continuation of life beyond the grave. "Peacemaking Is Hard" is a powerful meditation on the cost and significance of striving for peace. Through the lens of Christian symbolism, Berrigan highlights the transformative potential of faith and the act of peacemaking as a path to renewal and life. The poem affirms that despite the challenges, the pursuit of peace is a noble and essential endeavor, capable of leading humanity away from the brink of destruction toward a future filled with hope and life. POEM TEXT: https://danielberrigan.org/poems/
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