In times of military tension
Call twelve random ordinary people
From each side
In off the street
And ask them if
They’d prefer war or peace,

Pointing out first in brief –
Because, after all,
Random ordinary people
Have non-random, not-so-ordinary
Lives to lead
And won’t be paid for this –

Pointing out the pros and cons
Of peace and war,
Especially regarding
Ordinary not-so-ordinary people
And in particular
The poor.

Then take a vote…

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The votes cast in today’s ballot
In respect of peace and war
Were as follows:

For Peace: 24
And none for War.

I therefore hereby declare
The winner is Peace
And certainly not War.

PS:
Unfortunately,
When it comes to war and peace
In times of military tension,
It hardly ever tends
To end like this.