200 on the rear panel

Not a stretcher or a gurney, something

to hold their pain, their sorrow, Ukraine,
too urgent, in this moment, fearful,
watching for Russia’s double-tap…
just plastic bags, a soon-stained sheet,
a lifeless body being brought to the street
no time for formality, though reverently,
his humanity placed in the open van,
the doors slamming shut…
 
A “200” on the rear panel, plainly visible,
stark in its presence, to minimize the danger,
to make vehicles less of a target, to survive,
in large, prominent numbers, a herald,
signs in cold black and white, sterile,
their precious cargo, life that was stripped
by the terror of Russia, another war crime,
bombing civilians, drones, missiles, taking,
stealing his life and their history…
 
Chilling in the starkness, the video
this memory, this moment, graphic,
the sound of the van’s doors shutting,
before the body bag arrives at the morgue…
grabbing my attention, a reminder, a sign,
of the finality of these moments, a red line
crossed by Russia, wanton brutality, genocide,
their relentless attack, this Satan, this anti-Christ,
200 on the rear panel, leave the sirens off…
 
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Edited April 20, 2025
200 on the rear panel
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/200-on-rear-panel.html
#Easter2025
April 18, 2025
Post with video of body being removed from apartment building in Kharkiv
https://x.com/NatalkaKyiv/status/1913294016570962081
Bombed on Good Friday
My X post on April 18, 2025
https://x.com/raymondafoss/status/1913308922628223450
Edited April 20, 2025
Eyes that have seen too much – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/eyes-that-have-seen-too-much-v3.html
Edited April 4, 2025
sisters in arms – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/sisters-in-arms-v3.html
written after reading post by defender of Ukraine
about serving as a woman in the army,
for International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025
 
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, 2024, and 2025. 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.
 
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poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Russia, genocide, Kharkiv,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #Russia #genocide #Kharkiv #GoodFriday