A phrase too often repeated – v2

a scene far too familiar, almost nightly,
parents whispering in the darkness,
trying not to frighten their children,
families huddled wherever they could,
trying to stay safe, whatever that means…
“a long night ahead”,
a phrase too often repeated,
sounds of terror, of missiles, of drones,
of air raid sirens, of defenses firing,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them, Ukraine…
 
a nation in peril, on edge,
on guard for what is coming,
words of truth, an understatement,
not sleeping in their beds…
sleeping in bomb shelters,
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
“a long night ahead”,
Russia’s rain/reign of terror unending
premeditated murder, mayhem,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
there is no stillness, only fear, anticipation,
quiet shattered too quickly, terror,
missiles sent to destroy them
listening to whistles of the Shaheds…
more than fatigue, despair gripping,
cameras, bodies shaking, flared nostrils
of the influencers recording their truth,
“a long night ahead”, years now
of anguish, of nightly genocide,
screaming into the abyss,
no longer wanting to be brave…
 
---------------
Edited June 20, 2025
A prayer too often repeated – v2
 
Edited June 20, 2025
may your cries of pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-your-cries-of-pain-v2.html
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave-v2.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
attack on Kyiv
Edited June 16, 2025
one million dead and wounded – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/one-million-dead-and-wounded-v3.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-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, 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.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, warfare, drones, death, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa,
 
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