Poets logo

Instructions for Peace

A poem about waiting for what will not be rushed

By Michelle Liew Tsui-LinPublished 9 days ago β€’ 1 min read
Instructions for Peace
Photo by Kouji Tsuru on Unsplash

Peace does not arrive when called. It remains when allowed.

πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ

Stop.

Set aside the frantic buzz of bees.

Sit in the stillness.

Let it come of its volition

Not by the force

Of your shove.

πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ

Allow stoic

Silence

And calm.

Shun

Unwanted frenzy

Of Chaos.

The fire

Of Urgency.

πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ

Rushing

the result

Shuts the door

to its still form.

Stop swinging

The door open

To see if it's there.

Or banging it

With force.

She is reticent.

Blushes easily

And will turn quietly

Away.

πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ

Peace will come

Donning the robe

Of silence

And stillness

If she will.

Open the door

If she arrives

Or wait

If she does not

Because

She would already

Be within.

πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ πŸ•ŠοΈ

For Vocal's Instructions for a Feeling Challenge

inspirationalFree Verse

About the Creator

Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin

Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments (6)

Sign in to comment
  • Kaitlin Shanks8 days ago

    I never thought about it like that, but it's so true, especially the first sentence. You can't force peace or chase after it--you just have to let it exist.

  • Good luck with the challenge!

  • Imola TΓ³th8 days ago

    Good luck with the challenge! This made me feel a bit emotional in a good way. ❀️ Peace is probably the feeling I work most towards.

  • This was so beautiful and reading invited peace to dwell in my heart for a moment. It felt like a solemn meditation. I also loved that you made peace feminine. Not that men can't invite peace, but when I think of times I felt the most peace it was sitting in my grandma's lap as a little girl or holding my mother's hand while we watched a sunrise.

  • Marilyn Glover9 days ago

    Michelle, your poem is quite peaceful in itself, which makes it even more beautiful❣

  • Lana V Lynx9 days ago

    What a great entry to the challenge, Michelle!

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

Β© 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.