In simple, true words Kim Stafford's poem transforms peace from "abstraction" into living, breathing action.  I was honored when he entrusted me with his words. “Be It Therefore Resolved" was commissioned in 2011 by The Congressional Chorus (Washington D.C.)  The poem (and Congressional bills) are written in the form of a resolution.

Stafford's response upon hearing this setting for the first time: 

When the voices come down to the simple moment of "hope seems small" I felt the power of the individual, the predicament but also the power of one to keep singing, waiting, watching, listening, ready for what may come next. I know what you have done with my poem will change the way I hear my voice in the process of my own writing. And I don't know that I have ever experienced such an intimate and generous consideration of something I have written as I heard in your setting, word by word, syllable by syllable.