Soulful Eyes – v2

A warrior, a leader, a patriot,
In the field, in the world, authentic,
Soulful eyes that have seen too much,
So many years of war, of destruction,
Too many broken, shattered lives…
 
Soldiering on, ever forward,
But bending under the heavy weight,
Resolve leading her, guiding her,
Under God’s wing, His shadow,
The protection of unceasing prayer…
 
Holding onto hope for a future,
Without struggle, without war,
A stirring deep within her,
That this moment must pass,
Still hoping her dreams will take flight…
 
A warrior, a leader, a patriot,
In the field, in the world, authentic,
Soulful eyes that have seen too much,
So many years of war, of destruction,
Too many broken, shattered lives…
 
----------
Edited May 31, 2024
Soulful Eyes – v2
 
May 31, 2024
Soulful Eyes – v1
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/soulful-eyes-v1.html
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, warrior, leader, patriot, soldier, eyes, sorrow, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #warrior #patriot #soldier #eyes #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia
 
 

Soulful Eyes – v1

A warrior, a leader, a patriot,
Soulful eyes that have seen too much,
So many years of war, of destruction,
Too many shattered lives…
 
Soldiering on, ever forward,
But bending under the heavy weight,
Resolve leading her, guiding her,
Under the protection of unceasing prayer…
 
----------
May 31, 2024
Soulful Eyes – v1
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/soulful-eyes-v1.html

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, warrior, leader, patriot, soldier, eyes, sorrow, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #warrior #patriot #soldier #eyes #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia

Bondage – v2

Seeking approval,
Human judgement,
Enslaved, a prisoner,
In bondage of our spirit,
Destroyed our own lives…
 
Needing to let go,
No longer seeking approval,
Raising our eyes to heaven,
Seeking approval, praise,
From God above…
 
Lost days, years,
Chasing earthly treasure,
Seeking approval in this life,
Reward from our peers,
From broken clay…
 
---------------- 
Edited May 31, 2024
Bondage – v2
 
Edited May 31, 2024
Chains of our own making – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/too-many-people-are-actors-on-stage.html
Edited May 31, 2024
Chains of our own making – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making-v2.html
May 31, 2024
Praise is a drug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-drug.html
Edited May 31, 2024
Praise is fleeting – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting-v2.html
May 30, 2024
Praise is fleeting
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting.html
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making.html
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Chains of our own making – v3

Seeking their approval,
From the crowd, the chorus,
Carrying heavy weights,
Chains of our own making,
Not being at peace, centered,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Seeking acknowledgement,
Credit for our giving, our charity,
Our empty gestures, appearance,
An affect, a charade, a canard,
All about the optics, the praise,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Lost, self-centered, striving,
For attention, for earthy praise,
Applause for our weak efforts,
Credit for the lies we tell ourselves,
In these moments, our actions,
Fearing the judgement of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Too many are actors on the stage,
Playing a part, seeking applause,
Recognition for their every move,
They are not authentic, genuine,
giving with a servant's heart,
Only fearing the judgement of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
---------------- 
Edited May 31, 2024
Chains of our own making – v3
 
Edited May 31, 2024
Chains of our own making – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making-v2.html
May 31, 2024
Praise is a drug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-drug.html
Edited May 31, 2024
Praise is fleeting – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting-v2.html
May 30, 2024
Praise is fleeting
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting.html
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making.html
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Chains of our own making – v2

Seeking their approval,
Carrying heavy weights,
Chains of our own making,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Seeking acknowledgement,
Credit for our giving, our charity,
All about the optics, the praise,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Lost, self-centered, striving,
For attention, for earthy praise,
In the moments, our actions,
Fearing the judgement of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
---------------- 
Edited May 31, 2024
Chains of our own making – v2
 
May 31, 2024
Praise is a drug
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-drug.html
Edited May 31, 2024
Praise is fleeting – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting-v2.html
May 30, 2024
Praise is fleeting
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting.html
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making.html
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Praise is a drug

Praise is a drug,
An elixir, a potion,
Praise on this earth,
Numbs our spirits, our souls...
 
The fear of man is a poison,
A lie we tell ourselves,
Fear is death, corrosive,
Numbing our spirits, our souls ...
 
---------------- 
May 31, 2024
Praise is a drug
 
Edited May 31, 2024
Praise is fleeting – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting-v2.html
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making.html
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Praise is fleeting – v2

Praise is fleeting,
It can be taken away,
Trusting in man, in mortals,
More than our God…
 
Wanting to be seen,
To be credited, valued,
Trusting vessels of clay,
More than the Almighty…
 
Praise is a drug,
Recognition, purpose,
Rewards on the earth,
Losing our valley to heaven…
 
---------------- 
Edited May 31, 2024
Praise is fleeting – v2
 
May 30, 2024
Praise is fleeting
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-fleeting.html
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making.html
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Praise is fleeting

Praise is fleeting,
It can be taken away,
Trusting in man, in mortals,
More than our God…
 
Wanting to be seen,
To be credited, valued,
Trusting vessels of clay,
More than the Almighty…
 
---------------- 
May 30, 2024
Praise is fleeting
 
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/chains-of-our-own-making.html
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Chains of our own making

Seeking their approval,
Carrying heavy weights,
Chains of our own making,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
Seeking acknowledgement,
Credit for our giving, our charity,
All about the optics, the praise,
Fearing the judgment of man,
Not the approval of God…
 
---------------- 
May 30, 2024
Chains of our own making
 
May 30, 2024
Bondage
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/bondage.html
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Bondage

Seeking approval,
Human judgement,
Bondage of the spirit,
Destroyed lives…
 
Needing to let go,
To raise eyes to heaven,
Seeking approval, praise,
From God above…
 
Lost days, years,
Chasing earthly treasure,
Approval in this life,
From broken clay…
 
---------------- 
May 30, 2024
Bondage
 
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare-v2.html
May 28, 2024
A trap, a snare
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

A trap, a snare – v2

The fear of man is
a trap, a snare,
Seeking recognition,
no acceptance, fearing
Their harsh judgement…
 
The fear of man is
a trap, a snare,
Seeking approval,
a judgement, an open mouth,
The maw of oppression…
 
The fear of man is
a trap, a snare,
An opioid for the masses,
actors on the stage,
Seeking fleeting approval…
 
---------------- 
Edited May 30, 2024
A trap, a snare – v2
 
May 28, 2024
A trap, a snare
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-trap-snare.html
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Crushing the ground cover underfoot – v2

Crushing the ground cover underfoot,
the Creeping Charlie, the ground ivy,
getting out of the car, so powerful,
an overwhelming scent memory,
carrying me back over fifty years ago,
playing in our grandparents’ back yard.
 
The smell of the plants, the vines,
a fragrant deep, overwhelming,
not sweet but not bitter, pungent,
crushed under the tires, underfoot,
a branch needing to be dispatched,
beside where they were growing…
 
I could instantly picture their yard,
The hedges, the carport, the stonewalls,
playing hide and seek with our cousins,
before we all became older, scattered,
joyful memories of love, of family,
in their living, verdant, backyard…
 

---------------
Edited May 30, 2024
Crushing the ground cover underfoot – v2
 
May 28, 2024
Crushing the ground cover underfoot
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/crushing-ground-cover-underfoot.html
Creeping Charlie, ground ivy, on the ground in South Carolina now
And in the 1960’s at 15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA.
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, nature, family, plants, smells, scent, scent memory, memory, grandparents,
 
#poetry #nature #family #plants #smells #scent #scentmemory #memory #grandparents

Pulling out Kudzu – v5

Worse than dandelions,
more tenacious
than poison ivy,
an invasive species,
unwanted, connected…
 
Woven into the vine,
the soil, the ground
the very fabric of our lives,
the fabric of the world…
 
Tares with the wheat,
but no time to wait for harvest,
for the difference clearer,
the kudzu spreading,
intertwined within…
 
Needing to be pulled out
no matter the pain,
nothing remaining
of the weeds, the tares…
 
The roots, the vines,
an invasive species
entwined within,
pulling out the kudzu
briers, the dead branches…
 
The roots deep remaining
pulling them out also,
ignoring the thorns,
doing what must be done…
 
------
Edited May 30, 2024
Pulling out the Kudzu – v5
 
Edited August 21, 2013
“Pulling out Kudzu”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/pulling-out-kudzu.html
Edited August 21, 2013
“pulling out weeds – v2”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/08/pulling-out-weeds-v2.html
July 19, 2013
“pulling out weeds”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/07/pulling-out-weeds.html
Matthew 13:3-9
“The Parable of the Sower”
Matthew 13:8
Upper Room Daily Devotional
 “piritual Sowing and Growing”
http://devotional.upperroom.org/devotionals/2013-07-19   
by Pramila Barkataki
for July 19, 2013
read July 19, 2013
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, purpose, Savior, witness, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Matthew 13, sower, seed, soil, prepare, pray, kudzu, tares,
 
#faith #God #Christ #love #grace #witness #Savior #hope #joy #Spirit #calling #Matthew13 #seed #sower #pray #tares

On the side of their house – v2

On the side of their house,
around the bulkhead,
between their yard,
and their neighbor’s driveway,
not much there in general,
A forgotten space…
 
But there, as they had been long before,
the sweet nectar of the lilies,
Lilies of the Valley,
which went in her bouquet,
when she became his wife,
there still long after, fragrance,
rising to my eyes, to my nose,
A delight for my senses…
 
Picking them, pulled,
up out of the earth,
small rocks and moss,
below the gutters of the house,
Coming in their backdoor,
through the porch, the threshold,
and around the dogs, jumping,
handing her my little bouquet,
Her face smiling, aglow…
 
Back outside, into the sun,
running with siblings and cousins,
playing, running, hiding,
spending part of the day,
at my grandparents’ home,
Maybe when I was six or seven…
 
---------------------
Edited May 30, 2024
On the side of their house – v2
 
February 12, 2010
On the side of their house
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/on-side-of-their-house-repost.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html
Mid to later in the 1960’s
15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA
Edited May 29, 2024
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-line-of-chartreuse-blooms-v3.html
edited April 7, 2022
Little White Bells – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/little-white-bells-lanterns-hanging.html
edited April 6, 2022
Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html
&
October 9, 2010
In Their Fragrance and Their Colors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html
written as birthday gift
for my mother, Patricia Cobb,
on the occasion of her 75th birthday
October 9, 2010
&
May 21, 2009
Little White Bells
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html
corner of Prospect and Broadway,
Suncook, NH
&
May 1, 2008
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html
&
May 22, 2005
Lily of the Valley – 1999
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,
 
#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

Running with Grandpa – v2

Maybe two and a half,
certainly, no more than that,
running in the yard with grandpa,
going from flower to flower…
 
The mountain laurel,
giant rhododendron,
ground cover more at her height,
all of them sending her reeling,
in giggles of delight…
 
Drinking in the scents,
picking them in her imagination,
running from plant to plant,
too much for grandpa on the hot day,
happy to let her run by herself…
 
================
Edited May 30, 2024
Running with Grandpa – v2
 
May 26, 2010
Running with Grandpa
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/05/running-with-grandpa.html
Suncook, NH
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Faith, God, spring, light, morning, flowers, iris, love, earth, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, children, rhododendron, hands, writing poetry, eyes, smile, giggle,
 
#poetry #Faith #God #spring #light #morning #flowers #iris #love #earth #PoetryWhereYouLive #RaymondAFoss #children #rhododendron #hands #writingpoetry #eyes #smile #giggle

Holding onto #Time – v2

Gazing off toward the rising light
catching my eager eyes, morning,
a trunk, not yet fallen, erect, in death,
a regal birch remains, ramrod straight…
 
Beyond the edge of this still glade,
illumined by the morning sunlight,
poison ivy climbing up its truck,
fungus tiered up its side,
nests of birds dwelling inside…
 
No longer are there limbs,
yet worthy none the less,
the regal birch within the glade
has yet much to teach to us…
 
Standing through life’s trials,
ever changing, still usefulness,
teaching us about life, aging,
of living within community,
and accepting the part we play…
 
-----------------
Edited May 29, 2024
Holding onto Time – v2
 
September 28, 2011
Holding onto Time
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/09/holding-onto-time.html
Rolling Ridge Day Apart Retreat
www.rollingridge.org
“Poetry, Nature, and the Language of the Land”
http://www.rollingridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/WEB-Poetry-Nature-and-Language.pdf
led by Ray McGinnis
http://www.writetotheheart.com/
Write to the Heart workshops
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, nature, memories, God, creation, sky, night, writing poetry, river, water, imagination, senses, eyes, cold, sight, hearing, faith, sound,
 
#Poetry #nature #memories #God #creation #sky #night #writing #river #water #imagination #senses #eyes #cold #sight #hearing #faith #sound

A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v3

Chartreuse blooms, living for a week at most,
flowers of the maple trees lining Maple Street
little bells, green lilies of the valleys,
bright yellow-green buttercups on the branches,
striving, yearning skyward, joyful, emotive,
bouquets, bursting, shining in the April-May sun…
 
Soon they will fall away and the supple new leaves
will stiffen, turgid like butterfly wings,
with Kelly green, darker hues of summer
But for a regal moment, even the trees bloom
in vivid bright colors, awakening,
a line of chartreuse blooms alive, glowing....
 
----------------
Edited May 29, 2024
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms – v3
 
edited April 7, 2022
Little White Bells – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/little-white-bells-lanterns-hanging.html
edited April 6, 2022
Gathering her mother’s lilies – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/gathering-her-mothers-lilies-v3.html
&
October 9, 2010
In Their Fragrance and Their Colors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/10/in-their-fragrance-and-their-colors.html
written as birthday gift
for my mother, Patricia Cobb,
on the occasion of her 75th birthday
October 9, 2010
&
February 12, 2010
On the side of their house
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/02/on-side-of-their-house.html
Mid to later in the 1960’s
15 Bates Street, Westfield, MA
&
May 21, 2009
Little White Bells
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/05/little-white-bells.html
corner of Prospect and Broadway,
Suncook, NH
&
May 1, 2008
A Line of Chartreuse Blooms
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/05/line-of-chartreuse-blooms.html
&
May 22, 2005
Lily of the Valley – 1999
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2005/08/lily-of-valley-1999.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, family, memories, nature, senses, Poetry Where You Live, sun, God, creation, grace, beauty, faith, smell, lily of the valley, bouquet, flowers, mother, grandmother, wedding, lilies,
 
#poetry #family #memories #nature #senses #sun #God #creation #grace #beauty #faith #smell #lilyofthevalley #bouquet #flowers #mother #grandmother #wedding #lilies

Joy in the birdsong

Joy in the birdsong
cardinals, the blue jays,
mockingbirds up in the trees,
the wrens by the ground…
 
Joy in being able to hear them,
A part of my life that was missing,
The cooing of the mourning doves,
As I venture outside…
 
-------------------
May 29, 2024
Joy in the birdsong
 
Edited May 23, 2024
Her name wasn’t Annie – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/her-name-wasnt-annie-v2.html
May 23, 2024
Her name wasn’t Annie
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/her-name-wasnt-annie.html
Comparing my new audiologist,
Dr. Megan Lamprey, AuD, CCC-A,
who repaired my hearing aids,
to the moment when Annie Sullivan
helped Helen Keller to communicate…
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, hearing, audiologist, hearing aids, ears, eyes, deaf, blind, awakening, missing, found, Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan, birds, joy, nature,
 
#poetry #hearing #audiologist #hearingaids #ears #eyes #deaf #blind #awakening #missing #found #AnniSullivan #HelenKeller #birds #nature #joy

Crushing the ground cover underfoot

Crushing the ground cover underfoot,
an overwhelming scent memory,
instantly brought back over fifty years ago,
in my grandparents’ back yard.
 
The smell of the plants, the vines,
crushed under the tires, underfoot,
a branch needing to be dispatched,
beside where they were growing…
 
I could instantly picture their yard,
playing hide and seek with my cousins,
joyful memories of love, family,
in their living, verdant, backyard…

 
---------------
May 28, 2024
Crushing the ground cover underfoot

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, nature, family, plants, smells, scent, scent memory, memory, grandparents, 
 
#poetry #nature #family #plants #smells #scent #scentmemory #memory #grandparents

A trap, a snare

A trap, a snare,
Seeking recognition,
The fear of man,
their harsh judgement…
 
A trap, a snare,
Seeking approval,
A judgement, a open mouth,
The maw of oppression…
 
A trap, a snare,
An opioid for the masses,
Actors on the stage,
Seeking fleeting approval…
 
---------------- 
May 28, 2024
A trap, a snare
 
May 28, 2024
Actors
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/actors.html
May 28, 2024
The fear of man
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-fear-of-man.html
Edited May 28, 2024
All about the optics – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-about-optics-v2.html
Edited May 28, 2024
Praise is an illusion – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/praise-is-illusion-v2.html
Sermon May 26, 2024
“The Optics of Giving”
Pastor Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Based on Matthew 6:1-4
Proverbs 29:25
Luke 18:11-12
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Matthew 5:16
1 Chronicles 29:9, 11-14, 17b.
Psalm 25:15
&
Sermon May 19, 2024
“Loving our enemies”
Based on Matthew 5:38-48
&
Sermon May 12, 2024
“Stop Swearing”
Based on Matthew 5:33-37
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, faith, Matthew 6, Proverbs 29, Sermon on the Mount, giving, optics, status, actors, hypocrites,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #faith #Matthew6 #Proverbs29 #giving #optics #status #actors #hypocrites

Trapped in the cage of Rafah

Trapped in the cage of Rafah,
displaced innocents slaughtered,
enemies buried, hidden,
amid the civilian population…
 
Lambs prepared for slaughter,
gathered into the pen, a prison,
forced into a corner, boxed in,
the Shepherd now their terror…
 
Nowhere to run, to hide,
corralled, forced into a corner,
others turning away, hiding,
averting, covering their eyes…
 
The Shepherd now their terror
lambs prepared for slaughter,
lost in the world’s indifference,
caged, forced into a corner…
 
----------------
Edited May 28, 2024
Trapped in the cage of Rafah
 
Edited March 15, 2024
Buried under Rafah – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/buried-under-rafah-v3.html
On Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu’s
decision to attack Hamas in Rafah
&
Edited February 17, 2024
Forced into a corner – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/forced-into-corner-v2.html
February 14, 2024
Gathered into the pen
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/02/gathered-into-pen.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Rafah, sheep, shepherd, massacre, offensive, refuge, refugee, humanitarian crisis, genocide, terror, innocents, Gaza,
 
#Poetry #God #Israel #Palestine #Hamas #Rafah #sheep #shepherd #massacre #offensive #refuge #refugee #humanitariancrisis #genocide #terror #innocents #Gaza

A ballet in the middle

A ballet in the middle,
in the center of the blossom,
Petals the dancers’ bodies,
the whole blossom the stage…
 
Dancing in the center,
rising higher, swirling,
Twirling to the rhythm,
to the emerging life…
 
Can you see their motion,
in the static image, frozen?
Can you hear the music,
rising, welling up in their bodies...
 
Petals are dancing, captured,
in a whirlwind in the center.
So beautiful, alive, emergent,
on the canvas’ vertical plane...
 
----------------
Edited May 28, 2024
A ballet in the middle
 
Edited May 28, 2024
Dancing in the center
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/dancing-in-center.html
May 28, 2024
Can you see their motion
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/can-you-see-their-motion.html
May 27, 2024
Peony painting by Vera Kober
https://x.com/verakober/status/1795072739511812139
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, painting, peony, beauty, nature, dance, ballet, whirlwind, movement, grace,
 
#poetry #painting #peony #beauty #nature #dance #ballet #whirlwind #movement #grace

Dancing in the center

Dancing in the center,
rising higher, swirling,
twirling to the rhythm,
to the emerging life…
 
Can you see their motion,
in the static image, frozen?
Can you hear the music,
rising, moving their bodies...
 
Petals are dancing, captured,
in a whirlwind in the center.
So beautiful, alive, emergent,
on the canvas’ vertical plane...
 
----------------
May 28, 2024
Can you see their motion
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/can-you-see-their-motion.html
May 27, 2024
Peony painting by Vera Kober
https://x.com/verakober/status/1795072739511812139
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, painting, peony, beauty, nature, dance, ballet, whirlwind, movement, grace,
 
#poetry #painting #peony #beauty #nature #dance #ballet #whirlwind #movement #grace

In the #crucible of #history – v2 #Ukraine #Zelenskyy

In the crucible of history,
in the terror of these moments,
marshalling forces to aid, to change,
to bend the arc toward justice,
to create a just peace…
 
In the madness of this moment,
a time of stark choices,
an existential threat,
to his homeland, the world,
terror on the march…
 
Like Lincoln, like Churchill,
like Mandela, Gandhi, like Martin,
all those tested by awful fire,
to bend the arc toward justice,
to stand for and with their people…
 
Railing against injustice,
fear, timidity, appeasement,
carnage raining on his people,
to end terror falling from the sky,
to use righteous self-defense…
 
Weary in this moment, this time,
in the crucible of history,
the cries, the resolve of his people,
to bend the arc toward justice,
to create a just peace…
 
-----------
Edited May 28, 2024
In the crucible of history – v2
 
May 22, 2024
In the crucible of history
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-crucible-of-history.html
About President Volodymyr Zelenskyy /
Володимир Зеленський, @ZelenskyyUa
and the Ukrainian people
May 20, 2024
X post by @TetyanaUkrainka
and my responses
&
May 22, 2024
The streets of Kharkiv run red with the blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-streets-of-kharkiv-run-red-with.html
May 22, 2024
X Post by @IrynaVolchuk.
"The streets of Kharkiv run red with the blood of innocents, victims of the genocide being perpetrated by russia."
(Forwarded by me to POTUS)
&
May 20, 2024
Do the mothers in Russia know? – v7 (converting Ukrainian back to English)
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/do-mothers-in-russia-know-v7.html
Edited May 20, 2024
Чи знають матері в Росії? – v6 (in Ukrainian)
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/v6.html
Edited May 20, 2024
Знают ли мамы в России? – v5 (in Russian)
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/v5.html
May 20, 2024
Do the mothers in Russia know? – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/do-mothers-in-russia-know-v4.html
(In English)
&
Edited/merged May 20, 2024
Free the hands of our ally – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/free-hands-of-our-ally-v2.html
Edited May 20, 2024
While the bombers are in the air – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/while-bombers-are-in-air-v2.html
Edited May 20, 2024
Blood of the innocents – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/blood-of-innocents-v2.html
Edited May 20, 2024
We grieve for the innocents – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-grieve-for-innocents-v2.html
&
Edited May 16, 2024
Чи знають матері в #Росії? – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/v3.html
(in Ukrainian)
Edited May 16, 2024
Знают ли мамы в России? – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/v2.html
(in Russian)
&
May 15, 2024
Do mothers in Russia know?
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/blog-post.html
(in English and Russian)
As of 5/15/2024, reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine,
#Russian military casualties, including deaths and loss of combat capability due to injuries.
- 1,510 personnel yesterday,
- 9,510 in the last week,
- 32,520 in the last 30 days,
- 87,850 in the last 3 months, and
- 486,940 over the course of the war...
&
May 13, 2024
Hasten Ukraine’s Victory
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/hasten-ukraines-victory.html
Edited April 29, 2024
No more half-measures - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/no-more-half-measures-v2.html
April 29, 2024
Defeated by half-measures
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/defeated-by-half-measures.html
April 29, 2024
Edited April 22, 2024
Ukraine cannot wait – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/ukraine-cannot-wait-v3.html
April 4, 2024
a proxy bleeding
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-proxy-bleeding.html
Edited April 2, 2024
Ukraine must win – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/ukraine-must-win-v3.html
Edited March 31, 2024
The blood of the dead of Bucha – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-v4.html
&
Edited November 19, 2023
Crying for Crimea, for Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/crying-for-crimea-for-ukraine-v2_19.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, US, NATO, EU, proxy, terror, genocide, victory, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #country #people #US #NATO #EU #proxy #terror #genocide #victory #VolodymyrZelenskyy #LetUkraineStrikeBack