The winner this year was a neutral organization
Whose focus was “prisoners of conscience,” persons elated –
Who saw freedom due to the work of its members and devotees.
“In brutal strife, your sword and shield shall be
Belief in life and human dignity.”
These lines were written by the poet, Nordahl Grieg,
Expressing a philosophy of harmony, a creed
That was practiced by Peter Benenson, a London lawyer,
When he began his “Appeal for Amnesty’ in an office corner.
He worked for prisoners who had unfairly been
Imprisoned for their beliefs, opinions, nailed
For speaking, for peaceful acts, choice of religion,
And who were, until then, without an advocate, now hailed
By a group investigating and reporting: they were unfairly jailed!
June Edvenson 