In Nineteen-hundred and twenty-three and four,
The Nobel Peace Prize was not given as an award.
The prize money went to a Special fund, allocated,
To further Peace research, to perpetuate it.
Meanwhile, Nansen continued refugee-processing,
Shocked by the disinterest of the majority.
“I see the suffering people of Europe bleeding
To death on deserted battlefields after conflicts
Which to a great extent were not their own,” saying,
“This is the outcome of the lust for power,
The imperialism, the militarism that have run amok
Across the Earth. . . Where is the remedy to be sought?”
The efforts of diplomats and politicians he felt were for nought,
But men’s salvation might be found in hard work’s hours.
June Edvenson 