The Treason of Peace

Tristan Robert Lange

Just as surely as Jesus taught,
Others bastardize his teachings.
Anyone can lash out violently;
Not many commit to non-violence.
 
Beyond institutions, peace is attainable;
Angry voices spit venomous attacks.
Evil will not win, we shall overcome.
Zero chance threats or prison will quake me.
 
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, July 12, 2026.
 
Tittu
  • Author: Tristan Robert Lange (Offline Offline)
  • Published: July 19th, 2026 06:36
  • Comment from author about the poem: An acrostic Scorched Sunday poem. Part of my Scorched Strays collection. This poem reflects on nonviolence as costly Christian witness and the irony of believers condemning those who dare to practice the teachings they profess.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 31
  • Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Teddy.15, ms.divine, Salvia.S, Friendship
  • In collections: Scorched Strays.
Comments +

Comments7

  • sorenbarrett

    Loved the music of Joan Baez now a lost voice on the music scene but her influence can still be heard in other's songs. What ever happened to the peace movement of the sixties. Nicely written my friend and a fave

    • Tristan Robert Lange

      Thanks so much, Soren! Joan’s music continues to remind me that refusing violence is not passivity...it is courageous resistance requiring tremendous discipline. Whatever became of that collective dream, I refuse to believe it is dead. Joan herself is still very much active and writes poetry too, but as for what happened to the ’60s peace movement, that is a question I have pondered too. Deeply grateful for the fave, my friend! 🕊️🎸🔥🙏

      • sorenbarrett

        Hippies and beads my generation seduced by stocks and beaten back by inflation they linger in the backwaters disillusioned by democracy and capitalism in their youth now its major supporters. If you can't beat them' join them tie dyes turned to three piece suits

      • Thomas W Case

        A quiet fist raised against the storm, choosing courage over cruelty.
        The poem walks the hard road of peace, where conviction matters more than anger.

        • Tristan Robert Lange

          Thank you, Thomas! That is the heart of it. Peace demands that we stand firm without becoming a reflection of what we oppose. Deeply appreciated, my friend! 🕊️🎸🔥🙏

        • Teddy.15

          That's right you stick to hands off, with you all the way kid.

          I actually thought this could have been about Trump at first 🤣

          • Tristan Robert Lange

            Thanks so much, Teddy! For one terrifying moment, Trump wandered into a Joan Baez poem...but nonviolence firmly escorted agent orange menace back out! I’m delighted you’re with me all the way, my dear friend! 🤣🕊️🎸🔥🙏

          • arqios

            Tittu, this piece reads like a quiet but unwavering declaration that peace is not the soft option people imagine, but a discipline that demands courage, clarity, and a willingness to stand against both violence and the hypocrisy of those who preach gentleness yet condemn it in practice; the acrostic form suits the message, each line stepping forward with the calm resolve of someone who knows that non‑violence is not naïve but deeply costly, and your closing refusal to be shaken gives the poem its backbone, truly a reminder that conviction, when rooted in compassion, is stronger than any threat.

            • Tristan Robert Lange

              Thanks so much, Rik! You understood precisely what I hoped this poem would carry. Nonviolence is not retreat or polite acquiescence...it is resistance disciplined by compassion, standing its ground without surrendering its humanity. I deeply appreciate your generous and insightful reading, my friend! 🕊️🎸🔥🙏

              • arqios

                Well that’s notches higher than plain passive aggression. Most welcome dear friend 🙏🏻🕊️

              • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

                To the point, good write friend

              • orchidee

                Good write T. It's treason (or is it?) Popeye, to say 'Spinach to rule forever!'
                And... Oooh, I suppose there'll always be some hypocrites around. Doh! But it don't apply to Ol'Tom or Obi. They're faithful in knitting socks and wielding sabres. (what rubbish we talk. lol).

                • Tristan Robert Lange

                  Much appreciated, Orchi! Emperor Popeye now rules the Spinach Empire, while Darth Duplicitous condemns violence and quietly builds a Death Sabre behind the sock factory. Fortunately, Ol’Tom and Oi be Wan K. have already infiltrated the premises disguised as knitting inspectors! What rubbish indeed! lol. 🕊️🎸🔥🙏

                  • orchidee

                    It's all true, we know! lol.

                  • Friendship

                    Well said, your poem addresses themes of conflict, peace, and the challenges of adhering to non-violent principles in a world often marked by aggression and hostility.

                    • Tristan Robert Lange

                      Thanks so much, Friendship! Choosing another way requires tremendous resolve, especially when retaliation feels justified. I’m grateful this one connected with you, my friend! 🕊️🎸🔥🙏



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