Am I ready – v2

Questions we ask,
looking deep within,
if we are honest, truthful,
to ourselves, others,
to our sovereign God…
 
am I truly willing, open,
am I ready, willing,
do I want change
to heal my life…
 
will I be open, transparent,
will I be brutally honest
before God and others
about my struggles, my life…
 
healing will come, surely,
only if I am fully authentic
if I am transparent, open,
in my words, in my walk…
 
life can be better, abundant,
if I am honest, faithful,
open, vulnerable, transparent,
before others, before God…
 
----- 
Edited March 1, 2025
Am I ready – v2
 
Based on #Isaiah1:18-20
re:generation, Week 5, Day 3
February 19, 2025
I confess my sin - 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/i-confess-my-sin-3.html
re:generation, Week 5, Day 2
February 18, 2025
Be open, vulnerable
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/be-open-vulnerable_18.html
re:generation, Week 5, Day 1
 
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, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, Isaiah 1,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

Gathering a War Council – v2 #Ukraine

We have reached another fork in the path,
another inflection point, a decision,
no longer able to rely on, to trust,
every member, each partner, each ally,
needing to draw inward, to lean on
a narrower circle of neighbors, allies,
those who will walk with them, stand with them,
faithfully, gathering a War Council, on this day,
on the three-year anniversary of war,
the world is rapidly changing, fluid,
needing to know with certainty,
they will be there until the end
Until victory is won…
 
Coming to the center, to Kyiv,
standing with them on this anniversary,
when terror, genocide found them,
gathering a War Council, these nations,
partners in this struggle, committed,
a wider circle will come, other nations,
but a core, a center, together,
those who know this enemy,
those who have walked this path,
ready to do what it will take,
to overcome attrition, genocide,
to beat back the evil of terror,
Until victory is won…

 
----------
Edited March 1, 2025
Gathering a War Council – v2
 
February 28, 2025
Gathering a War Council
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/gathering-war-council.html
Photograph of President Zelenskyy with leaders of Nordic
and Baltic nations on February 24, 2025 in Kyiv
on the 3^rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
February 25, 2025
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by defender of Ukraine 
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
Edited December 23, 2024
Ukraine must win – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/ukraine-must-win-v5.html
Edited March 31, 2024
The blood of the dead of Bucha – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-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, 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.
 
terror, Ukraine, victory, genocide, NATO, hope, Slava Ukraini, courage, EU, heroes, Let Ukraine Win, US, poetry, Baltic States, Nordic States,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #LetUkraineWin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #Nordic #Baltic

Gathering a War Council #Zelenskyy #Ukraine #Nordic #Baltic

No longer able to trust, to rely on,
every member, each partner,
needing to draw inward, to lean on
a narrower circle of neighbors, allies,
those who will walk with them,
gathering a War Council, on this day,
on the three-year anniversary of war,
the world rapidly changing,
needing to know with certainty,
they will be there until the end
Until victory is won…
 
Coming to the center, to Kyiv,
gathering a War Council, nations,
partners in the struggle, committed,
a wider circle will come, others,
but a core, a center, together,
those who know this enemy,
those who have walked this path,
ready to do what it will take,
to overcome attrition, genocide,
to beat back the evil of terror,
Until victory is won…

 
----------
February 28, 2025
Gathering a War Council
 
Photograph of President Zelenskyy with leaders of Nordic
and Baltic nations on February 24, 2025 in Kyiv
on the 3^rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
&
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
February 25, 2025
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by defender of Ukraine 
&
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
&
Edited December 23, 2024
Ukraine must win – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/ukraine-must-win-v5.html
&
Edited March 31, 2024
The blood of the dead of Bucha – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-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, 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, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, Slava Ukraini, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Let Ukraine Win, Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, terror, genocide,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #country #people #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #proxy #LetUkraineWin #Bucha #Irpin #Mariupol #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine

touching bleeding flesh - defender

The earth swallows the dead too quickly here,
so we hold them first—
hands pressed to torn uniforms,
to warmth slipping away in the frozen mud,
to the breath that shudders once, then never again.
 
Shrapnel sings its metal hymn,
a discord we know too well.
It carves into us, into our silence,
leaving wounds deeper than the skin,
buried where no medic’s hands can reach.
 
We do not flinch at the blood anymore.
It is part of us now,
a language spoken in torn arteries,
in whispered names before the radios go silent,
in boots left standing where a soldier no longer does.
 
Somewhere beyond this trench,
they count our dead like numbers on a page,
but here, each loss is a name, a face,
a brother who will never go home,
a sister who fought until the last shell fell.
 
Touching bleeding flesh,
I swear again—
for every fallen comrade,
for every stolen life,
for Ukraine, still breathing, still unbroken,
I will not fall today.”
 
-----
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
(written by a medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
--------------
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
&
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
February 25, 2025
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by defender of Ukraine 
&
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #ThreeYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #StandWithUkraine

touching bleeding flesh – v2

the reality of these days, these years,
nothing able to be captured in videos,
sterile pieces of remembrance,
commemorating an anniversary, 
when terror came to this land,
in the blare of air raid sirens,
growl of the tanks, screams
of the missiles, drones incoming...
 
nothing antiseptic, silent and clean,
visceral, every present, this moment,
a shard cut within them, shrapnel carried,
in our bleeding flesh, our bodies,
the memory present of that day,
impossible to describe to others,
who have not lived it, reality,
who cannot understand the pain...
 
touching bleeding flesh, painful,
of loved ones, in pain, in the moment,
of comrades, civilians, explosions,
on the ground, in the blood-stained dust,
in the quagmire of these moments, 
not in seats of power, across the miles,
living in the visceral reality, each moment, 
memories alive, ever present...
 
shards cutting into flesh, shrapnel, 
buried deep within them, present,
of each moment carried with them,
the presence of their heroes, their dead,
walking ever with them, flesh of their flesh,
in the crucible of this now, these moments, 
crying from their reality, their pain, 
the memory of that day, present,
Memories that may never fade... 
 
--------------
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
 
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
&
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
February 25, 2025
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by defender of Ukraine 
&
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #ThreeYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #StandWithUkraine

The present memory of that day – v2

The present memory of that day,
these three years of living hell,
within the cloak of eleven years,
the war never ending…
felt like a shard in the flesh, pain,
cutting, digging, shrapnel present, 
never to be removed, indwelling, 
part of you, but pain will not stop you...
 
You each carry that day with you,
the seconds beginning, anguish, terror,
the start of the full-scale scale invasion,
after years of war, invasion…
deafening crush of the air raid sirens,
constancy of these moments, urgent,
present reality, a shard cutting,
a weight each of you endure...
 
----
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
 
February 25, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh.html
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
&
February 25, 2025
The present memory of that day
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day.html
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by defender of Ukraine 
Posted February 24, 2025
&
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #ThreeYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #StandWithUkraine

more than weary – v2

more than weary, suffering, 
an ache that consumes me
down to the pit of my soul,
to my broken bones,
crying out in anguish,
prayers as deep as moans
sometimes in shaking silence...
 
more than weary, tormented,
my body in anguish, broken,
needing Your power, Your grace,
I am frozen, unable to move,
an ache I cannot explain, 
my bones wracked,
my soul crying out in pain...
 
more than weary, urgently,
I need Your touch, oh Father,
for You to reach down from heaven,
to be the balm I long for,
to bring me healing within me,
the prayer of my heart, in silence,
reaching out to You…
 
------ 
Edited February 26, 2025
more than weary – v2
 
Based on #Psalm6:2-3
Based on #Psalm6 
re:generation, Week 5, large group gathering
 
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, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, forgive, Psalm 6,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

touching bleeding flesh

the reality of these days, these years,
not captured in the videos,
commemorating an anniversary, 
when terror came to this land,
in the blare of air raid sirens,
the growl of the tanks, the screams
of the missiles, the drones...
 
nothing antiseptic, silent and clean,
visceral, every present,
a shard, shrapnel carried,
in our bleeding flesh,
the memory present of that day,
impossible to describe to others,
who cannot understand the pain...
 
touching bleeding flesh, 
of comrades, civilians, explosions,
on the ground, in the dust,
in the quagmire of these moments, 
not in seats of power, across the miles,
living in the visceral reality, each moment, 
memories alive, ever present...
 
shards cutting into flesh, shrapnel, 
of each moment carried with them,
the presence of their heroes, their dead,
walking ever with them, flesh of their flesh,
in the crucible of this now, these moments, 
crying from their reality, their pain, 
the memory of that day,
Memories that may never fade... 
 
--------------
February 25, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh.html
"The memory present of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
&
February 25, 2025
The present memory of that day
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day.html
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by defender of Ukraine 
Posted February 24, 2025
&
Edited February 24, 2025
Pandora’s Box a black hole… - v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/pandoras-box-black-hole-v3.html
Edited February 23, 2025
Europe must act – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/europe-must-act-v4.html
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #ThreeYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #StandWithUkraine

The present memory of that day

The present memory of that day,
three years of living hell,
like a shard in the flesh, pain,
cutting, digging, shrapnel present, 
never to be removed, indwelling, 
part of you, but it will not stop you...
 
You each carry that day with you,
the start of the full-scale scale invasion, 
deafening crush of the air raid sirens,
constancy of these moments,
present reality, a shard cutting,
a weight each of you endure...
 
----
February 25, 2025
The present memory of that day
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day.html
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by defender of Ukraine 
Posted February 24, 2025
&
Edited February 24, 2025
Pandora’s Box a black hole… - v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/pandoras-box-black-hole-v3.html
Edited February 23, 2025
Europe must act – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/europe-must-act-v4.html
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #ThreeYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump

more than weary

more than weary, suffering, 
an ache that consumes me
down to the pit of my soul,
to my broken bones,
crying out in anguish,
prayers as deep as moans...
 
more than weary, tormented,
needing Your power, Your grace,
I am frozen, disabled,
an ache I cannot explain, 
my bones wracked,
my soul crying out in pain...
 
------ 
February 25, 2025
more than weary
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/more-than-weary.html
Based on #Psalm6:2-3
Based on #Psalm6 
re:generation, Week 5, large group gathering
 
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, Spirit, love, grace, regeneration, forgive, Psalm 6,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

Pandora's Box a black hole... – v3

Not knowing where this will lead from this folly,
what damage there is caused in the universe,
hidden cards thrown onto the table, exposed,
playing with fire, burning chess pieces,
brinksmanship inherently dangerous,
moves not considered, forgotten,
pawns left naked, exposed,
Pandora’s Box opened,
demons rising,
from the pit,
Evil released,
from a maelstrom,
a black hole taking lives,
growing stronger, larger,
conquest, terror, an empire,
if we all fail to recognize, to act,
if they do not meet this moment,
Pandora’s Box thoughtlessly opened,
chess men moved on the table, pawns,
left for the angry wolves of the shadows,
when Terror and Genocide were given free reign…
 

-------

Edited February 24, 2025

Pandora’s Box a black hole… - v3

 

Edited February 23, 2025

Europe must act – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/europe-must-act-v4.html

edited February 15, 2025

Three years of terror, of genocide – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html

March 5, 2022

Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,

 

#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #ThreeYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump

Pandora's Box a black hole... – v2

Not knowing where this will lead by this folly,
what damage there is caused in the universe,
playing with fire, burning chess pieces,
Brinksmanship inherently dangerous,
moves not considered, forgotten,
pawns left naked, exposed,
a Pandora’s Box opened,
demons rising,
Evil released,
from a maelstrom,
a black hole taking lives,
growing stronger, larger,
conquest, terror, an empire,
if we all fail to recognize, to act,
if they do not meet this moment,
Pandora’s Box thoughtlessly opened,
chess men moved on the table, pawns,
left for the angry wolves of the shadows,
when Terror, Genocide was given free reign…

-------

Edited February 24, 2025

Pandora’s Box a black hole… - v2

 

Edited February 23, 2025

Europe must act – v4

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/europe-must-act-v4.html

February 17, 2025

In the crucible of this moment

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/in-crucible-of-this-moment.html

edited February 15, 2025

Three years of terror, of genocide – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html

March 5, 2022

Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,

 

#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #ThreeYears #Europe #Trump #Zelenskyy

Pandora's Box a black hole...

Playing with fire, burning chess pieces,
Brinksmanship inherently dangerous,
moves not considered, forgotten,
pawns left naked, exposed,
a Pandora’s Box opened,
demons rising,
a black hole taking lives,
growing stronger, larger,
conquest, terror, an empire,
if we all fail to recognize, to act,
if they do not meet this moment,
Pandora’s Box thoughtlessly opened,
chess men moved on the table, pawn,
left for the angry wolves of the shadows,
when Terror, Evil was given free reign…
-------
February 23, 2025
Pandora’s Box a black hole…
 
Edited February 23, 2025
Europe must act – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/europe-must-act-v4.html
Edited February 17, 2025
giving oxygen to Evil – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/giving-oxygen-to-evil-v2.html
February 17, 2025
In the crucible of this moment
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/in-crucible-of-this-moment.html
Edited February 17, 2025
Negotiating with Evil – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/negotiating-with-evil-v2.html
edited February 15, 2025
Restored Sovereignty – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/restored-sovereignty-v2.html
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #Crimea #StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState #1000Days #ThreeYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump

Europe must act – v4

Their leaders face a critical exigency,
for a vacuum is looming, approaching,
a Pandora’s Box, a black hole,
time running out…
if terror is to be defeated,
if there is to be victory,
if genocide is to end…
 
Europe must act boldly,
now, this minute,
no time for meetings…
the window is fast closing,
Europe must lead, now,
ignoring other voices,
defeatists, appeasers,
those ensnared in fear…
 
Champions must rise now,
picking up the cause, their banner,
the exigency, the urgency of now…
ignoring those fearing escalation,
frozen in the Cold War,
seeing shadows of a monster,
believing fears of the past...
 
Europe must act now,
decisively, to be effective,
not merely talking, but acting…
seeing the criticality of this moment,
fighting with these people,
the Heroes of this genocide,
stopping this naked aggression,
their War against Humanity...
 
They must meet this moment,
this existential crisis, terror,
genocide must be vanquished…
there is no time for debate,
this is a moment of clarity, of purpose,
Europe must step up today,
in this moment of reconning, …
-------
Edited February 23, 2025
Europe must act – v4
 
Edited February 17, 2025
giving oxygen to Evil – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/giving-oxygen-to-evil-v2.html
February 17, 2025
In the crucible of this moment
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/in-crucible-of-this-moment.html
Edited February 17, 2025
Negotiating with Evil – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/negotiating-with-evil-v2.html
edited February 15, 2025
Restored Sovereignty – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/restored-sovereignty-v2.html
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Three Years, Europe,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #Putin #terror #genocide #Crimea #StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState #1000Days #ThreeYears #Europe