FEEL FREE TO add your own ‘if you believe” verses 
TO THIS POEM IN A COMMENT.
If you believe that a smile is stronger than a weapon,
If you believe in the power of offering a hand,
If you believe that the things that unite men
have more power than the things that divide them,
If you believe that being different can be a treasure ,
If you know how to look at another with love,
If you prefer hope to suspicion,
If you consider taking the first step,
Rather than waiting for the other to make peace,
If the glance of a child still succeeds in disarming your heart,
If you delight at your neighbor’s joy
If you find injustices suffered by others just as revolting
as the injustices faced by you,
If for you a stranger is a potential brother or sister,
If you know how to give some of your time, free of charge, in the name of love,
If you recognize what others do as a service to you,
If you share your bread and knowledge
to join another to a piece of your heart,
If you believe that forgiveness goes farther than vengeance,
If you know how to sing to the happiness of others
And dance to the rhythm of their joy their enjoyment,
If you can listen to the unfortunate ones who waste your time
And give him or her your smile,
If you know how to accept criticism and take advantage of it,
if you know how to grow from an opinion radically different then yours,
If you don’t let anger be your weakness,
If you prefer to be hurt rather that harming someone,
If you refuse to go with the flow when you know the flow is only leading to destruction
and if you know how to swim against the currents if necessary, just like salmons do,
If you befriend the poor man and the oppressed
Without thinking of yourself as a hero,
If you believe that the LOVE is the only deterrent power,
If you believe that the Peace is a possibility and let others know about it,
Then you already know Peace and will get to share in it when it comes for all.
PLEASE VISIT
http://finestitalian.com/products/italian-paintings/tuscan-rage/
http://finestitalian.com/products/italian-paintings/italian-tulips
