A Child's Peace

by Debra Bruch

(The physicalization of this piece is very much like a dance. A doll friend, Garfield, will help illustrate.)

(The actor places Garfield on the stage floor.)

(Adult voice.) I asked the child within me what peace meant. This is what she told me:

(Child voice.) My world is full of other people. And lots of times these other people make me feel peace or they take away my peace. There's ways people take away peace and if people stop doing that, then maybe I'd feel peace. So I think I should show you what people do to take peace away. And then I can show you what peace is to me. Sometimes, this is what people do.

(The dance begins. Adult voice.)

What do you want? (Repeated three times.)

You always want something. (Repeated three times.)

I don't wanna talk to you. (Repeated three times.)

I'm too busy. (Repeated three times.)

I'm too busy for you. (Repeated three times.)

I've had a bad day. (Repeated three times.)

I can't handle this. (Repeated three times.)

I can't handle you. (Repeated three times.)

Leave me alone. (Repeated three times.)

Don't do that. (Repeated three times.)

You stupid idiot. (Repeated three times.)

You can't do anything right. (Repeated three times.)

Don't go in there. (Repeated three times.)

This is my house, not your house. (Repeated three times.)

I don't want you here. (Repeated three times.)

I don't want you. (Repeated three times.)

(The child stops, in pain. Child voice.) YOU'RE HURTING ME!

(The child runs, jumps, and collapses. She slowly gets up and sees Garfield. She picks Garfield up and hugs him.)

Garfield loves me. I think that peace is being loved. That's why Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. Because Jesus loves me.

And I think Jesus loves you too.

(Adult voice.) Jesus loves you, too.