Peace Should Not Come

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    Peace should not come along this foul, earth way.     Peace should not come, until we cleanse the path.     God waited for us; now in awful wrath     He pours the blood of men out day by day     To purify the highroad for her feet.     Why, what would Peace do, in a world where hearts     Are filled with thoughts like poison-pointed darts?     It were not meet, surely it were not meet     For Peace to come, and with her white robes hide     These industries of death - these guns and swords, -     These uniformed, hate-filled, destructive hordes, -     These hideous things, that are each nation's pride.     So long as men believe in armed might     Let arms be brandished.    Let not Peace be sought     Until the race-heart empties out all thought     Of blows and blood, as arguments for Right.     The world has never had enough of war,     Else war were not.    Now let the monster stand,     Until he slays himself with his own hand;     Though no man knows what he is fighting for.     Then in the place where wicked cannons stood     Let Peace erect her shrine of Brotherhood.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem takes on the grand, challenging themes of peace and war, employing a somber, yet hopeful tone. It opens with a bold contradiction to conventional thoughts about peace, arguing that true peace cannot come until the path is cleansed of the horrors of war. This is not a simple plea for peace, but a call to action, a call to recognize and deal with the roots of conflict before peace can truly reign. The language is strong and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the destructive aftermath of war and the poet's desire for purification.

The structure of the poem is traditional, with a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, which gives a sense of order amidst the chaos of its subject matter. The poet skillfully employs metaphor as a key literary device, personifying both War and Peace. War is depicted as a monstrous figure that eventually destroys itself, while Peace is portrayed as a nurturing woman, patiently waiting to erect her shrine of Brotherhood. This stark contrast highlights the poem's theme further. The poet also uses irony when he refers to "industries of death" as "each nation's pride," criticizing societies' glorification of war. The poem ends on a hopeful note, envisioning a world where Peace replaces the "wicked cannons" of war, asserting that true peace can only be achieved when humanity abandons its reliance on force as a means of resolving conflicts.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.