Flying from every flagpole – v3

So much lost, so much sacrificed,
blood filled streets and trenches,
a nation’s prayers buried with them,
in the soil of this land they love…
 
Flying from every flagpole,
a vast sea of blue and yellow,
a nation rising from ashes of struggle,
striving to meet the dawn…
 
Light shining down upon them,
a new birth, in victory, in triumph,
rising from their black soil,
a nation healed, restored…
 
Flying from every flagpole,
a nation lifted in prayer,
strength their unity, rising,
into the light of a new day…
 
This is our humble prayer…
 
-----------
Edited January 13, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v3
 
September 6, 2024
Trampled, beaten, yet unbowed
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/trampled-beaten-yet-unbowed.html
August 27, 2024
The Flag of their Independence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-flag-of-their-independence.html
National Day of Remembrance – August 29, 2024
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024
Ukraine National Flag Day – August 23, 2024
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
National Day of Remembrance – August 29, 2024
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024
Ukraine National Flag Day – August 23, 2024
National Day of Remembrance
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/new name August 27, 2024
Streets of their cities run red with blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-their-cities-run-red-with.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/neutrality-is-myth-lie.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, 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, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Day of Remembrance, Ilovaisk, Poltava, Let Ukraine Strike Back,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #FlagDay

Sacred Days – v3

Sacred Days, moments, frozen, in silence,
the calendar full, a constant, a drumbeat,
somber times of remembrance, honor, resolve,
pausing as a body, united, as a nation, mourning,
to remember as a people, to never forget,
that their freedom has not yet perished…
 
Pain, they have suffered, resilience, silence,
in the crucible of time, in war, repeating,
mass deportations, man-made starvations,
endless Russian crimes across centuries,
stealing their identity, their names, culture,
their own true sovereign history…
 
Each human death a tragedy, pausing in silence,
stopping their daily lives, together,
falling to their knees in reverence, honor,
the price of their identity, their independence,
more certain in their cause every day, resistance,
ever true to their call, their creed…
 
Sacred days of pride, fealty to their nation, silence,
sacred rituals, symbols, continuity, faithfulness,
carrying bouquets, candles, flying the colors,
always honoring the dead, the fallen, the heroes,
a nation united in loss, in ongoing struggle,
remembering the price they have paid…
 
-----------
Edited January 13, 2025
Sacred Days – v3
 
Edited September 6, 2024
Flying from every flagpole – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole-v2.html
August 27, 2024
The Flag of their Independence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-flag-of-their-independence.html
National Day of Remembrance – August 29, 2024
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024
Ukraine National Flag Day – August 23, 2024
&
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/new name August 27, 2024
Streets of their cities run red with blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-their-cities-run-red-with.html
&
Edited/new name August 27, 2024
Streets of their cities run red with blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-their-cities-run-red-with.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, Independence Day, Holodomor, Defenders Day, National Anthem,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #sacrifice

Attrition – v5

Death, explosions, terror, evil,
in so many villages, towns, and cities.
like the destruction in World War II,
the same level of destruction, death,
innocent cities and towns, history, culture,
all are being turned to nothing, to dust…
 
Attrition they say, war, by inches,
will lead us out of madness,
a tipping point will come,
to defeat the evil tyrant
internal forces will stop him,
he will be made to relent…
 
But what about the martyrs,
those killed in their beds,
the soldiers, the medics,
their best sons and daughters,
what about every defender,
killed in a cruel double-tap…
 
How long can we expect them,
to defend our freedom alone,
to stand in the gap for us,
for freedom for all, peace,
when we sit in comfort,
fear at arm’s reach, hidden…
 
Attrition but a word, truly,
on the news, in a policy paper,
except for the people living,
dying, injured, shattered,
in the cross-hairs of evil,
feeling this war is all too much…
 
We must do more, better,
all of us, their partners,
to stand beside them, helping,
giving them what they need,
so that attrition’s awful cost,
will finally bring victory…
 
--------  
Edited January 13, 2025
 
 
Edited November 29, 2024
Attrition – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/attrition-v4.html
November 1, 2024
Skin in the game
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/skin-in-game.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2_27.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
A death sentence – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-death-sentence-2-v2_26.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-death-sentence-2-v2_25.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
The anguished words of the defenders
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-anguished-words-of-defenders-v2_26.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
Ten years under the gun – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/ten-years-under-gun-v2_26.html
Written and posted October 15, 2024
in this moment of madness
Typed October 18, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness_25.html
&
Written and posted October 12, 2024
In the crucible of war – 2 – v1
Typed October 17, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-crucible-of-war-2-v1_25.html
&
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
A death sentence – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-death-sentence-2-v2_25.html
written and posted October 11, 2024
The anguished words of the defenders
typed October 17, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-anguished-words-of-defenders.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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, history, glory,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war

How did He answer – v2

what did she tell Him
what songs did she sing Him
Christ growing within her
what did Mary share
with almighty God…
 
How did He answer
what did Christ whisper to Mary
from within her vessel
in silence speaking
to His mother each day…
 
what did she whisper
what songs did she sing Him
what must she have prayed
over the child within her
God here with us…
 
How did He answer
to give her understanding,
what promises did He whisper
as He grew in her womb
for those nine months…
 
what must she have felt
the power of each moment,
knowing that Christ was growing
that God was in her womb
her sweet baby boy…
 
How did He answer Mary,
her prayers, as He began to enter,
when His flesh was quickened
when she laid Him in the manger
God here with us…
 
=====================
Edited January 13, 2025
How did He answer – v2
 
Based on Luke1:46-55, The Magnificat
Based on Psalm139:13-16
Based on John8:48-59
Based on Luke1:39-45
Based on Philippians2:5-11
Based on Genesis 1:26
Based on John1:1-18
Based on I Am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John
Edited January 9, 2025
The moment Mary conceived – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-moment-mary-conceived-v2.html
Edited January 8, 2025
a tear in the fabric of time – 2 – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-tear-in-fabric-of-time-2-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, God, Christ, incarnation, Mary,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #incarnation #Mary

Mary was with Him – v2

Christ’s first disciple,
His mother Mary,
she was with Him
unto her death…
 
Mary was with Him
from the visitation
from conception
to her earthly release…
 
Christ’s first disciple
knowing Him fully
fully-man, fully God
from beginning to end…
 
Mary is with Him
seated high up in heaven
His servant, His disciple,
His mother, His first true love…
 
=====================
Edited January 13, 2025
Mary was with Him – v2
 
Based on Luke 1:46-55, The Magnificat
Based on Psalm 139:13-16
Based on John 8:48-59
Based on Luke 1:39-45
Based on Philippians 2:5-11
Based on Genesis 1:26
Based on John 1:1-18
Based on I Am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John
 
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, God, Christ, incarnation, Mary,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #incarnation #Mary

Whispering to Him – v2

Whispering to Him,

our risen Lord, Christ Jesus,

God growing within her

and praying to the Father

seated on high…

 

Wooing Christ too her,

growing, alive, in secret,

singing songs to Him,

praying for strength

for the journey to come…

 

Joseph beside her

trusting with her, faithful,

as her time came closer,

wondering too, pondering,

how His life would unfold…

 

His first two disciples,

Christ’s earthly parents,

on the journey before them,

the Christ growing, hidden,

in Mary’s sacred womb…

 

=====================

Edited January 13, 2025

Whispering to Him – v2

 

Based on Luke 1:46-55, The Magnificat
Based on Psalm 139:13-16

Based on John 8:48-59

Based on Luke 1:39-45

Based on Philippians 2:5-11

Based on Genesis 1:26

Based on John 1:1-18

Based on I Am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John

 

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, God, Christ, incarnation, Mary,

 

#poetry #God #Christ #incarnation #Mary

A mystery of life

A mystery of life
of that moment of conception
when the Spirit overshadowed
that humble servant girl…
 
A cleave point, an inflection,
a change in time forever,
infinity entered the world
in a kernel of life…
 
A mystery of life
the eternal made mortal,
the conception of Jesus,
God here in the flesh…
 
Time changed forever,
a tear in the fabric,
a radical change hidden,
within her virgin womb…
 
=====================
January 13, 2025
A mystery of life
 
Based on Luke1:46-55, The Magnificat
Based on Psalm139:13-16
Based on John8:48-59
Based on Luke1:39-45
Based on Philippians2:5-11
Based on Genesis 1:26
Based on John1:1-18
Based on I Am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John
 
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, God, Christ, incarnation, Mary,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #incarnation #Mary

His first disciple – v2

Visited by the angel
Mary accepting her anointing,
overshadowed by the Spirit,
Christ growing within her
her virgin womb…
 
Talking with him
Christ within her,
sharing her blood
her love for him
her body, her womb…
 
His first witness
aware of His presence,
knowing his completely,
the Christ growing within her
within her virgin womb…
 
Christ’s first disciple
before the conception
Mary became the servant
Singing a song of faithfulness,
of life, God here with us…
 
=====================
Edited January 13, 2025
His first disciple – v2
 
Based on Luke 1:46-55, The Magnificat
Based on Psalm 139:13-16
Based on John 8:48-59
Based on Luke 1:39-45
Based on Philippians 2:5-11
Based on Genesis 1:26
Based on John 1:1-18
Based on I Am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John
 
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, God, Christ, incarnation, Mary,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #incarnation #Mary

A conversation with Mary – v2

From the beginning,
the angel’s visitation,
the moment of conception
God within her, alive,
the vessel of her womb…
 
A conversation with Mary
from that moment,
God in mortal flesh
growing within her
the vessel of her womb…
 
As He grew, as she felt Him,
God moving, growing,
a love divine, human,
what must she have whispered
to Christ in her womb…
 
A conversation with Mary,
her child, her Father,
a mystery unimaginable,
the immortal, her flesh,
with Christ in her womb…
 
The intimacy of pregnancy,
this mother and child,
this life growing within her
God almighty, our Savior,
in the vessel of her womb…
 
=====================
Edited January 13, 2025
A conversation with Mary – v2
 
Based on Luke1:46-55, The Magnificat
Based on Psalm139:13-16
Based on John8:48-59
Based on Luke1:39-45
Based on Philippians2:5-11
Based on Genesis 1:26
Based on John1:1-18
Based on I Am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John
 
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, God, Christ, incarnation, Mary,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #incarnation #Mary

His mother, His daughter

His mother, His daughter,
the willing vessel, the handmaiden,
the one chosen, anointed,
consecrated by God,
the mother of our Savior,
the Babe in the manger,
the man who climbed the cross,
the One now seated in heaven…
 
His mother, His daughter,
His first love, His disciple,
an intimacy with Mary
sharing hearts beating
in the womb, on the cross,
an ongoing conversation
from conception until her death
to her rising to him in heaven…
 
=====================
January 13, 2025
His mother, His daughter
 
January 11, 2025
Mary was with Him
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/christs-first-disciple-his-mother-mary.html
Based on Luke 1:46-55, The Magnificat
Based on Psalm 139:13-16
Based on John 8:48-59
Based on Luke 1:39-45
Based on Philippians 2:5-11
Based on Genesis 1:26
Based on John 1:1-18
Based on I Am statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John
 
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, God, Christ, incarnation, Mary,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #incarnation #Mary