Holding your breath

Your body taut, tense,
held in urgency, in tension,
in the disquiet of war,
in the crucible of terror…
 
Stretched beyond limits,
what we are meant to endure,
but striving because you must,
your position is clear…
 
Release must come,
even for a few moments,
tension must be released,
so that you can survive…
 
Weakness is not weakness,
we are all human, mortal,
take time for yourself,
in your inward spirit…
 
You noble work continues,
guarding your good people,
standing strong, resolute,
against our enemy…
 
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April 23, 2025
Holding your breath
 
April 21, 2025
Remembering to Exhale
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/remembering-to-exhale.html
April 21, 2025
Stretched Taut
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/stretched-taut.html
Based on a defender’s post on
her 32^nd birthday, 12 years in uniform,
since before the invasion of Crimea…
Edited April 21, 2025
She is Ukraina, Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/she-is-ukraina-ukraine-v2.html
Edited April 20, 2025
200 on the rear panel – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/200-on-rear-panel-v2.html
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
April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-stain-of-their-blood.html
April 10, 2025
We are one, my love
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-are-one-my-love.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,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace