The Peace Not Past Our Understanding

1 The peace not past our understanding
falls like light upon the soft white tablecloth
at winter supper warm between four walls,
a thing too simple to be tried as truth.

2 Not scholar’s calm, nor gift of church or state,
nor everlasting date of death’s release;
but careless noon, the houses lighted late,
harvest and holiday: the people’s peace.

3 Days into years, the doorways worn at sill,
years into lives, the plans for long increase
come true at last for those of God’s good will:
these are the things we mean by saying, Peace.

Source: Singing the Living Tradition #164