for Rodrigo Carazo
In the light mist of a cloud forest
a tiny, tiny blue bird speaks to us:
You are beautiful.
You are wise.
You are strong.
Look at me.
Listen to me.
Follow me.
Follow me all the way.
In the dense green of a rainforest
a giant, giant butterfly speaks to us:
You are beautiful.
You are wise.
You are strong.
Look at me.
Listen to me.
Follow me.
Follow me all the way.
In the beautiful country of Costa Rica with no army
a happy, happy friend speaks to us:
You are beautiful.
You are wise.
You are strong.
Look at us.
Listen to us.
Follow us.
Follow us all the way.
In 2009, I met Rodrigo Carazo, the president of Costa Rica from 1978 to 1982. He and his colleagues invited me to come to Costa Rica to do some peace work with them. Knowing that their country had abolished its military forces in 1948, I proposed that we start an international citizens’ organization, A World Without Armies. And I asked President Carazo to be the honorary founder of the organization.