Friday, September 20, 2024

Words call me

Words speak to me
they are my muse,
words call me, now,
when I am not ready,
when I pay attention,
driving, walking about…
 
Words call me, suddenly,
they woo, they challenge me,
they cry out in despair,
sometimes they shout for joy,
urgent, passionate, emotive words,
words of power, of light…
 
The words will not wait,
I must stop, I must write,
I must remember, to save them,
for the words can be fleeting,
gossamer pulled from the ether,
to be capture, to be written down…
 
-------------
September 19, 2024
Words call me
 
Edited September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-gift-to-anothers-heart-v2.html
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirit, soul,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirit #soul

I hear Taras’ whisper to me…

I keep hearing his name,
in my mind, in my vision,
I hear Taras’ whisper to me,
I don’t know yet what he is saying,
but I need to figure it out…
 
I feel a pull of his presence, his words,
echoing deep within me, in the same way
I felt in the room where Burns was born,
somehow, I feel him calling to me,
as I support his homeland, Ukraine…
 
Somehow, I sense Bulgakov and Gogol,
want to gather into our conversation,
to understand more fully this conflict,
the nations, the passions flowing,
more than what I read each day…
 
I hear Taras’ whisper to me,
I long to know, to understand,
how I can use my words to support,
to aid, to heal his homeland,
his love, his blessed Ukraine…
 
----------
September 20, 2024
I hear Taras’ whisper to me…
 
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko,
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…
&
Edited December 11, 2023
I hear you calling to me – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/i-hear-you-calling-to-me-v2.html
earlier poem, sensing Robert Burns…
I visited the birthplace of Robert Burns in Scotland in 1999.
That was where I started writing my 1st poem...
&
Edited September 19, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike the Archers – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/let-ukraine-strike-archers-v2.html
Edited September 17, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike Back – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/let-ukraine-strike-back-v3.html
Edited September 10, 2024
A just peace must rise – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-just-peace-must-rise-v4.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, Robert Burns, Scotland, Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Watson, heather, Alloway Auld Kirk, whisper, Tam o’ Shanter, Brig o’ Doon, Ayrshire, Urquhart Castle, ancestors, Scottish,
 
#poetry #RobertBurns #Scotland #Highlands #Edinburgh #Glasgow #LochNess #LochLomond #Watson #heather #AllowayAuldKirk #whisper #TamoShanter #BrigoDoon #Ayrshire #UrquhartCastle #ancestors #Scottish
-------------
 
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, terror, genocide, peace, victory, Let Ukraine Strike Back, strike the archers, air bases, missiles,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #terror #genocide #peace #victory #LetUkraineStrikeBack #strikethearchers #airbases #missiles
-------------
 
poetry, Ukraine, God, prayer, muse, writing, poets, calling, purpose, Taras Shevchenko, Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolai Gogol, whisper, presence, listening,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #muse #writing #poets #calling #purpose #TarasShevchenko #RobertBurns #MikhailBulgakov #NikolaiGogol #whisper #presence #listening

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Pour Your Wisdom in me

My clay is cracked and broken,
but I am a vessel willing,
open to be used by You, Lord,
for Your Kingdom, for my purpose…
 
Pour Your Wisdom in me,
cast out all my fears, my doubts,
steel me in my trials, my struggles,
let me do Your Work…
 
For You are right beside me,
You strengthen me on my walk,
give me faith to follow You,
on the path of my life…
 
---------------  
September 19, 2024
Pour Your Wisdom in me
 
Based on #Joshua1:9
Based #Isaiah41:10
September 19, 2024
Why do we hold onto fear
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/why-do-we-hold-onto-fear.html
Edited September 19, 2024
We must hold onto God’s promise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/we-must-hold-onto-gods-promise-v2.html
Edited May 10, 2024
We must not fear – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-must-not-fear-v2.html
May 10, 2024
In God’s Right Hand
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-gods-right-hand.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, God, Christ, Spirit, love, grace, faith, prayer, Psalm 23, Isaiah 41, Joshua 1,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #prayer #Psalm23 #Isaiah41 #Joshua1

Why do we hold onto fear

Why do we freeze ourselves, our lives
why do we live lives of caution,
of hesitation, not grabbing hold of life,
why do we hold onto fear?
 
Fear is so self-defeating, a prison,
a dark cloud over our living, our future,
why do we listen to the words of the enemy,
that we are unworthy, we are not good enough?
 
Why do we live truncated lives,
forestalling our joy, our true living,
we must remember, we must believe,
God’s promise to always be with us…
 
We are given life, a life of abundance,
but we hold onto fear, our millstone,
sapping our joy, our true living,
oh why do we hold onto fear?
 
---------------  
September 19, 2024
Why do we hold onto fear
 
Based on #Joshua1:9
Based #Isaiah41:10
“So do not fear, do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Edited September 19, 2024
We must hold onto God’s promise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/we-must-hold-onto-gods-promise-v2.html
Edited May 10, 2024
We must not fear – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-must-not-fear-v2.html
May 10, 2024
In God’s Right Hand
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-gods-right-hand.html
&
Edited May 9, 2024
Rest in the meadows
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/rest-in-meadows.html
Based on Psalm 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
he leadeth me beside quiet waters.
John 10:1-21 (Good Shepherd)
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, love, grace, faith, prayer, Psalm 23, Isaiah 41, Joshua 1,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #prayer #Psalm23 #Isaiah41 #Joshua1

We must hold onto God’s promise – v2

We must hold onto God’s promise,
We must not fear, we must not doubt,
We must believe, we must have faith,
We must be courageous in this time of trials…
 
We must not hesitate, waver,
We must not hide in the shadows,
We must be strong, courageous,
for today is filled with promise…
 
We must hold onto God’s promise,
We must not fear, we must not be timid,
We must stand resolute, righteous
We must be courageous in this time of trials…
 
We must lean into our future,
our present challenge, our storms,
in our struggles, in our abundance,
for God is with us on this road…
 
---------------  
Edited September 19, 2024
We must hold onto God’s promise – v2
 
Based Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
May 10, 2024
We must hold onto God’s promise
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-must-hold-onto-gods-promise.html
Based Isaiah 41:10
Joshua 1:9
Edited May 10, 2024
We must not fear – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-must-not-fear-v2.html
May 10, 2024
In God’s Right Hand
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-gods-right-hand.html
&
Edited May 9, 2024
Rest in the meadows
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/rest-in-meadows.html
Based on Psalm 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
he leadeth me beside quiet waters.
John 10:1-21 (Good Shepherd)
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, love, grace, faith, prayer, Psalm 23, Isaiah 41, Joshua 1,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #prayer #Psalm23 #Isaiah41 #Joshua1

Let Ukraine Strike the Archers – v2

We must untie Ukraine’s hands,
we must let them defend their nation,
Let Ukraine Strike the Archers,
the source of their terrors,
let them defeat their genocide,
for if they strike the air bases, the missiles,
they will have less ground to defend,
air defenses for their arrows,
to keep their people safe…
 
So many of their people, their cities,
are far too close to the border,
with no time for self-defense measures
far too many of these brave people must huddle 
in their bathrooms, in bomb shelters,
while the air raid sirens howl overhead,
Let Ukraine Strike the Archers
so there will be fewer arrows,
to keep their people safe…










----------
Edited September 19, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike the Archers – v2
 
Edited September 17, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike Back – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/let-ukraine-strike-back-v3.html
Edited September 10, 2024
A just peace must rise – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-just-peace-must-rise-v4.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, God, prayer, terror, genocide, peace, victory, Let Ukraine Strike Back, strike the archers, air bases, missiles,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #terror #genocide #peace #victory #LetUkraineStrikeBack #strikethearchers #airbases #missiles

A gift to another’s heart – v2

Our creations, art in its own sense,
All our artistic endeavors, our spirits,
all that we pour into our works,
a life force, awakening, rising,
offered, sent out into the world…
 
A gift from our heart, our spirits,
a kernel of life, of creation itself,
sent to land on an unknown shore,
a gift from one heart to another,
to heal, to give hope, to restore…
 
All that we pour out, an offering,
a piece of infinite space, of life,
treasure planted into the ether,
in time finding their true home,
on some distant shore…
 
---------------
Edited September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v2
 
September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart – v1
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-gift-to-anothers-heart-v1.html
Edited September 18, 2024
One heart speaking – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-heart-speaking-v2.html
 
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=906982137911060&set=a.381701980439081
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirits, souls, 

 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirits #souls

A gift to another’s heart - v1

Our creations, art in its own sense,
all that we pour into our works,
a life force, awakening, rising,
sent out into the world…
 
A gift from our heart, our spirits,
to land on an unknown shore,
a gift from one heart to another,
to heal, to give hope, to restore…
 
All that we pour out, an offering,
treasure planted into the ether,
in time finding their true home,
on some distant shore…
 
---------------
September 19, 2024
A gift to another’s heart - v1
 
Edited September 18, 2024
One heart speaking – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-heart-speaking-v2.html
 
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist

“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirits, souls,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirits #souls

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Let Ukraine Strike the Archers

Untie Ukraine’s hands,
let them defend their nation,
Let Ukraine Strike the Archers,
the source of the terrors,
let them lessen the genocide,
less ground they must defend,
to keep their people safe…
 
Many of their people, their cities,
are far too close to the border,
far too many huddle in shelters,
while the air raid sirens howl,
Let Ukraine Strike the Archers,
so there will be fewer arrows,
to keep their people safe…







----------
September 18, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike the Archers
 
Edited September 17, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike Back – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/let-ukraine-strike-back-v3.html
Edited September 10, 2024
A just peace must rise – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-just-peace-must-rise-v4.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, God, prayer, terror, genocide, peace, victory, Let Ukraine Strike Back, strike the archers, air bases, missiles,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #terror #genocide #peace #victory #LetUkraineStrikeBack #strikethearchers #airbases #missiles

One heart speaking – v2

One heart speaking,
one spirit sharing,
their gifts, their talents,
offering love, hope,
into the chaos of this world…
 
One spirit shining,
so brightly, authentic,
offering love to others,
not knowing who needs to hear,
that which they have been given…
 
One soul rising,
bringing art, creativity,
one heart committed to beauty,
offering something pure, holy,
sharing a gift with the world…
 
---------------
Edited September 18, 2024
One heart speaking – v2
 
September 17, 2024
One heart speaking
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-heart-speaking.html
September 17, 2024
My response to post by Lisa D'Amico - Artist
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=906982137911060&set=a.381701980439081
“This is so beautiful; I shared it to my page as well.
This is so real, which is what all art must be, real,
authentic, from the heart, for another's heart,
one we do not know, but one who needs to see,
to hear, to feel, to touch art in their spirit, in their soul...”
 
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, art, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, fabrics, words, writing, fiction, drawing, creation, creative, gifts, talents, calling, purpose, spirits, souls,
 
#Poetry #God #art #painting #sculpture #glass #woodworking #fabrics #words #writing #fiction #drawing #creation #creative #gifts #talents #calling #purpose #spirits #souls
 

Pulling back from the pinnacle

Pulling back from the pinnacle,
from the thing that she loves,
taking time for herself
to be healed, restored…
 
Choosing herself, herself,
not the maddening crowd,
those who idolize, adore her,
those who would tear her down…
 
Finding restoration, wholeness,
as she had to, in the end, in truth,
taking up the mantle, her title,
once again reclaiming her crown…
 
In the end, she mattered, her whole self,
gathering her fans, her loved ones to her,
standing on the world stage once again,
flooded with joy, God’s infinite grace.
 
------------
September 18, 2024
Pulling back from the pinnacle
 
Simone Biles’ decision to step away from
the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 to focus on her mental health,
and her triumph at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024
 
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, prayer, Simone Biles, Olympics, mental health, self-care, triumph, GOAT, healing,
 
#poetry #God #prayer #SimoneBiles #Olympics #mentalhealth #selfcare #triumph #GOAT #healing

Their best sons and daughters – v2

How great is their nation’s loss,
after a decade of terror, of destruction,
of genocide, of blood in the streets,
endless attacks by the enemy,
killing everything in their path…
 
Their best sons and daughters,
of this people, this nation, lost,
taken by the slaughter, the carnage,
anguished cries in shelters, under
constant missile sirens, terror unleashed…
 
Time stands still, frozen, lives ripped
from their own paths, their freedom,
taking up arms against the enemy,
resolute in their shared struggles,
protecting the land that they love…  
 
Their best sons and daughters,
witnesses now to the horrors,
standing in defiance against terror,
the complacency of others, too timid,
to stand in the gap for them…
 
More than martyrs, the fallen valor,
they are heroes of freedom, their nation,
resolute against the enemy, sacrificing
so much, their lives, for all of humanity,
standing in the gap where we will not tread…
 
The living at attention, the dead do not yet rest,
until the enemy is defeated, until there is peace
in their homeland, for posterity, a just reawakening,
their flag over every home, the blue and yellow ablaze,
only then will they be at peace, only then will they rest…







-----------
Edited September 18, 2024
Their best sons and daughters – v2
 
September 17, 2024
Their best sons and daughters
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters.html
&

Edited September 10, 2024
The Flag of their Independence – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-flag-of-their-independence-v2.html
Edited September 8, 2024
Trampled, beaten, yet unbowed – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/trampled-beaten-yet-unbowed-v2.html
Edited September 6, 2024
Flying from every flagpole – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole-v2.html
National Day of Remembrance – August 29, 2024
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024
Ukraine National Flag Day – August 23, 2024
&
Edited September 10, 2024
Freezing in the Darkness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/freezing-in-darkness-long-brutal-winter.html
Edited September 10, 2024
Streets of their cities run red with blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/streets-of-their-cities-run-red-with.html
September 10, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike Back
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/let-ukraine-strike-back.html
September 10, 2024
The stain of innocent blood – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-stain-of-innocent-blood-v5.html
Edited September 10, 2024
A just peace must rise – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-just-peace-must-rise-v4.html
Edited August 30, 2024
The dead do not yet rest in peace – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dead-do-not-yet-rest-in-peace-v2.html
August 29, 2014
Edited August 28, 2024
The whisper of the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-whisper-of-dead-v2.html
July 16, 2024
The Sound of Lviv Cemetery
https://x.com/United24media/status/1813323219954241935
X (formerly Twitter) post by United24 Media
edited August 27, 2024
The stain of innocent blood – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-stain-of-innocent-blood-v4.html 
Edited August 27, 2024
Streets of Kharkiv run red with blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-kharkiv-run-red-with-blood-v2.html
Edited September 1, 2024
Too close to the border – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/too-close-to-border-v3.html
Edited August 19, 2024
The dead cry out – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dead-cry-out-v2.html
Edited August 1, 2024
Resolve personified – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/resolve-personified-v3.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, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Day of Remembrance, Ilovaisk, Poltava, Let Ukraine Strike Back,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Poltava #Kharkiv #Kyiv #Lviv #DayofRemembrance #Ilovaisk #strikethearchers #LetUkraineStrikeBack

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Their best sons and daughters

How great is their nation’s loss,
after a decade of terror, of destruction,
of genocide, of blood in the streets,
of endless attacks by the enemy,
killing everything in their path…
 
Their best sons and daughters,
of this people, this nation, lost,
taken by the slaughter, the carnage,
anguished cries in shelters, under
constant missile sirens, terror unleashed…
 
Time stands still, frozen, lives ripped
from their own paths, their freedom,
taking up arms against the enemy,
resolute in their shared struggles,
protecting the land that they love…  
 
Their best sons and daughters,
witnesses now to the horrors,
standing in defiance against terror,
the complacency of others, too timid,
to stand in the gap for them…


-----------
September 17, 2024
Their best sons and daughters
 
&

Edited September 10, 2024
The Flag of their Independence – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-flag-of-their-independence-v2.html
Edited September 8, 2024
Trampled, beaten, yet unbowed – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/trampled-beaten-yet-unbowed-v2.html
Edited September 6, 2024
Flying from every flagpole – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole-v2.html
National Day of Remembrance – August 29, 2024
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024
Ukraine National Flag Day – August 23, 2024
&
Edited September 10, 2024
Freezing in the Darkness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/freezing-in-darkness-long-brutal-winter.html
Edited September 10, 2024
Streets of their cities run red with blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/streets-of-their-cities-run-red-with.html
September 10, 2024
Let Ukraine Strike Back
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/let-ukraine-strike-back.html
September 10, 2024
The stain of innocent blood – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-stain-of-innocent-blood-v5.html
Edited September 10, 2024
A just peace must rise – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-just-peace-must-rise-v4.html
Edited August 30, 2024
The dead do not yet rest in peace – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dead-do-not-yet-rest-in-peace-v2.html
August 29, 2014
Edited August 28, 2024
The whisper of the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-whisper-of-dead-v2.html
July 16, 2024
The Sound of Lviv Cemetery
https://x.com/United24media/status/1813323219954241935
X (formerly Twitter) post by United24 Media
edited August 27, 2024
The stain of innocent blood – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-stain-of-innocent-blood-v4.html 
Edited August 27, 2024
Streets of Kharkiv run red with blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-kharkiv-run-red-with-blood-v2.html
Edited September 1, 2024
Too close to the border – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/too-close-to-border-v3.html
Edited August 19, 2024
The dead cry out – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dead-cry-out-v2.html
Edited August 1, 2024
Resolve personified – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/resolve-personified-v3.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, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Day of Remembrance, Ilovaisk, Poltava, Let Ukraine Strike Back,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Poltava #Kharkiv #Kyiv #Lviv #DayofRemembrance #Ilovaisk #strikethearchers #LetUkraineStrikeBack