A colleague just told me that Maria Montessori was the answer (or question as it were) in final Jeopardy last week. This got me to thinking once again about Montessori’s legacy. I wrote this poem a few years back, and I thought I would share it again now as it seems appropriate for this time in our history. When I wrote the piece, I was intrigued when I learned that Montessori and Mahatma Gandhi met to discuss peace. I sure so wish these visionaries were with us today. Suzanne Lawson

Harmony Reigns[1]

I wish I knew Maria Montessori; sometimes I think I do.

I talk about her teachings daily, thinking hard about how she knew it all.

Gandhi reminded her, You have very truly remarked that if we are to reach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with children…

I see these children every day; vibrant, strong, limitless in potential:

            Smiling, writing, running, falling down…           

Gandhi went on, and if they will grow up in their natural innocence, we won't have the struggle, we won't have to pass fruitless idle resolutions, but we shall go from love to love and peace to peace,”

I see these children every day; silly, bright, abounding with energy:

            Tying a shoe, reading a book, raising a hand, napping…

Gandhi hoped that, at last all the corners of the world are covered with that peace and love for which, consciously or unconsciously, the whole world is hungering.[2]

I see these children every day; wide-eyed, intense, reaching for more:

            Molding clay, speaking, listening, laughing…

Gandhi and Maria saw eye to eye. In my days, I see these eyes too: the answers, the power, the truth lie in them.

[1] Title by Maria Montessori, Education and Peace, 1949.

[2] Excerpt from Mahatma Gandhi’s speech, published in the weekly newspaper, Young India, on November 19, 1931