Eyes that have seen too much – v2

I hear the sorrow, the disquiet,
your furrowed brow, your tears,
pain that sometimes grips you,
I am so happy when I see you smile,
when light pierces the darkness…
 
Your soulful, caring eyes,
through the crucible of war,
a window on your spirit, so telling,
eyes that have seen too much,
that yet carry such a burden…
 
I hear your hope for a future,
for peace to come to Ukraine,
your nation’s flag on every flagpole,
endless wheat fields and blue skies,
like the flag of your people…
 
Oh, I pray for that day, that moment,
when peace returns to Ukraina,
when all the fallen may truly rest,
the return of your nation’s children,
all those released from captivity…
 
-------
Edited April 18, 2025
Eyes that have seen too much – v2
 
April 18, 2025
She is Ukraina, Ukraine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/she-is-ukraina-ukraine.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
Edited October 30, 2024
my black-haired maiden
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/my-black-haired-maiden-v2.html
after poem, “my black-haired maiden”,
based on the poem, “Katerina”
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited June 2, 2024
Soulful Eyes – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/soulful-eyes-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, love, girlfriend, fiancée, wife, love poem, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace
 

Eyes that have seen too much

I hear the sorrow, the disquiet,
pain that sometimes grips you,
I am so happy when I see you smile,
when light pierces the darkness…
 
Your soulful, caring eyes,
a window on your spirit, so telling,
eyes that have seen too much,
that yet carry such a burden…
 
I hear your hope for a future,
for your country’s flag on the flagpoles,
for wheat fields and blue skies,
like the flag of your nation…
 
Oh, I pray for that day, that moment,
when peace returns to Ukraina,
when all the fallen may truly rest,
when you see the return of your children,
all those released from captivity…
 
-------
April 18, 2025
Eyes that have seen too much
 
April 18, 2025
She is Ukraina, Ukraine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/she-is-ukraina-ukraine.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
Edited October 30, 2024
my black-haired maiden
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/my-black-haired-maiden-v2.html
after poem, “my black-haired maiden”,
based on the poem, “Katerina”
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited June 2, 2024
Soulful Eyes – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/06/soulful-eyes-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, love, girlfriend, fiancée, wife, love poem, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace

She is Ukraina, Ukraine

She is Ukraina, Ukraine,
embodiment of her people,
the resolve of a nation,
united in sacrifice,
together for victory,
standing strong, regal,
against their enemy…
 
She is Ukraina, Ukraine,
of the black soil, this land,
this good an ancient people,
stronger than they realize,
but holding onto humanity,
against terror, the onslaught,
the genocide of the tyrant…
 
She is Ukraina, Ukraine,
tired but standing defiant,
smiling in the darkness,
a beacon of hope for others,
fighting because she must,
defending her homeland,
Ukraine that she loves so much…
 
-------
April 18, 2025
She is Ukraina, Ukraine
 
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.
 
--------------
poetry, love, girlfriend, fiancée, wife, love poem, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace

He lived every prophecy

Christ fulfilled every promise
in the steps of His life
He lived every prophecy
to live and die for me…
 
Christ was the perfect sacrifice,
who took on all my sin,
He climbed the cross for me,
to set my spirit free…
 
-----
April 18, 2025
He lived every prophecy
 
Based on #Psalm22:1
Based on #Matthew27:46
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
Good Friday
April 18, 2025
separated from God
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/separated-from-god.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
April 18, 2025
Submitting to God’s Wrath
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/submitting-to-gods-wrath.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
April 18, 2025
You are the Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/you-are-christ.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
 
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, regeneration, Psalm 22, Good Friday, Holy Week, Easter, Resurrection Sunday,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GoodFriday #HolyWeek #Easter #ResurrectionSunday

separated from God

the wrath excruciating
far more than the lash, the thorns,
feeling singular emptiness
supporting the wrath of God…
 
estranged from the Father,
the Son writhing in anguish,
the seed of eternity, the firstborn,
dying in pain on our cross…
 
torture beyond our imagination,
feeling forsaken by God
Christ in His torment
suffering the wrath of God…
 
-----
April 18, 2025
separated from God
 
Based on #Psalm22:1
Based on #Matthew27:46
Based on #2Corinthians5:21
Based on #Mark8:29, 31-33
Based on #John1:29
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
Good Friday
April 18, 2025
Submitting to God’s Wrath
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/submitting-to-gods-wrath.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
April 18, 2025
You are the Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/you-are-christ.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
April 17, 2025
Hold me tightly, Lord Jesus
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/hold-me-tightly-lord-jesus.html
April 17, 2025
God knows my heart
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/god-knows-my-heart.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
April 17, 2025
Christ came for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/christ-came-for-me.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
 
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, regeneration, Psalm 22, Good Friday, Holy Week, Easter, Resurrection Sunday,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GoodFriday #HolyWeek #Easter #ResurrectionSunday

Submitting to God’s Wrath

Christ’s mission, His purpose,
His eternal calling, a servant,
our propitiation, our sacrifice,
the weight of all our sin,
place upon the unblemished lamb…
 
Christ is our payment,
our atoning sacrifice,
submitting to God’s wrath,
talking all our iniquity,
our blood on His head…
 
Christ’s choice to descend,
to climb our cross,
fulfilling His purpose,
His calling, His mission,
to die and rise for us…
 
-----
April 18, 2025
Submitting to God’s Wrath
 
Based on #Mark8:29, 31-33
Based on #John1:29
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
Good Friday
April 18, 2025
You are the Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/you-are-christ.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
April 17, 2025
Hold me tightly, Lord Jesus
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/hold-me-tightly-lord-jesus.html
April 17, 2025
God knows my heart
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/god-knows-my-heart.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
April 17, 2025
Christ came for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/christ-came-for-me.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
 
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, regeneration, Mark 8, Good Friday, Holy Week, Easter, Resurrection Sunday,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GoodFriday #HolyWeek #Easter #ResurrectionSunday

The stain of their blood

I can see the scene unfolding…
hushed in the praetorium, the palace,
taking off his clean navy blazer
an aide gathering a basin of water,
taking off his golden cufflinks,
rolling up his starched white sleeves…
 
Two accursed men standing there,
Barabbas and Jesus, different actors,
Putin and Zelenskyy, in this moment,
standing in judgement of the Empire,
its Proconsul at the water basin…
 
Dipping his hands in the waters,
murmuring a lie, a prayer, a confession,
saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”
giving the crowd Barabbas/Russia,
sending Jesus/Ukraine to the cross,
for our indifference, the sins of all of us…
 
But no amount of water, no words,
will absolve him of the verdict,
history will judge him eternally,
as he steps away from responsibility,
as he sacrifices innocent blood…
 
Two men in the battle, good and evil,
evil chosen for craven expediency,
the attention span of the moment,
washing his hands eternally,
but he will forever bear the stain,
the curse of innocent blood…
-------
April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood
 
Statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
as peace talks break down because Russia wants war, not peace,
and America seems to be ready to abandon Ukraine…
&
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
Palm Sunday massacre in Sumy, Ukraine
Edited March 10, 2025
Betrayal – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/betrayal-v3.html
Edited March 6, 2025
we have become what we abhor – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/we-have-become-what-we-abhor-v2.html
Edited March 6, 2025
There is no neutrality in genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/there-is-no-neutrality-in-genocide-v2.html  
Edited December 12, 2024
The blood of the dead in Bucha – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-v6.html
September 10, 2024
The stain of innocent blood – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-stain-of-innocent-blood-v5.html
This poem is about the character Pontius Pilate in the novel, Master and Margarita,
by Mikhail Bulgakov, where Pilate is spending eternity, not in heaven or hell,
but trying to wash the innocent blood Jesus Christ from his hands.
This poem is transferring that same nightmarish judgment on Vladimir Putin
for the innocent blood of the people of Ukraine...
originally drafted April 1, 2022, 38 days into the full-scale invasion
April 1, 2022
The stain of innocent blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-stain-of-innocent-blood.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, love, Christ, Spirit, Pilate, Bulgakov, Master and Margarita, sin, stain, Putin, Russia, Ukraine, war crimes, innocent blood, America, Trump, Rubio, Good Friday, betrayal,
 
#Poetry #God #Christ #Ukraine #US #NATO #terror #genocide #Putin #innocentblood #Trump #Rubio #GoodFriday #betrayal #HolyWeek

You are the Christ

Words of power, of authority,
clarity in the moment,
but needing to submit, to trust,
in the calling of Christ Jesus…
 
Oh, how Peter was right,
when he answered the question of Jesus,
He was the Messiah, God’s Son,
the One foretold in scripture…
 
But Peter had it wrong,
not seeing Christ’s purpose,
how He had to suffer and die,
to fulfill prophesy…
 
Jesus is the Christ,
the One who descended,
the One to take our iniquity
to the cross, to the grave…
 
Christ rose in power,
not of earth but of heaven,
to redeem us to God,
to raise us all up to Glory…
 
-----
April 18, 2025
You are the Christ
 
Based on #Mark8:29, 31-33
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 3
April 17, 2025
Hold me tightly, Lord Jesus
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/hold-me-tightly-lord-jesus.html
April 17, 2025
God knows my heart
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/god-knows-my-heart.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
April 17, 2025
Christ came for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/christ-came-for-me.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
 
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, regeneration, Mark 8, Good Friday, Holy Week, Easter, Resurrection Sunday,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GoodFriday #HolyWeek #Easter #ResurrectionSunday

Fire, gathered from the ether – v2

Fire, gathered from the ether, silken threads,
something holy, eternal, within every breath,
words of passion, empathy, of confession, conviction,
a rise of justice in the crucible of our present age
Life held deep within us, springing forth like water,
hope for love to abound, for peace to endure…
 
Arrows in my quiver, my bow in my hand at the ready,
darts to pierce the darkness, rage to start a blaze,
nothing lukewarm, the fire raging within me, alive,
anger at injustice, complicity, the feckless, the liars,
Oligarchs chasing power, the haters in our midst,
minions of Satan, those who would defeat us…
 
Fire, gathered from the ether, flames woven together,
yet not burning my flesh because they are sacred, gifted,
words from Almighty God placed in my hands, my heart,
if I am faithful, even when I am fearful, when I am timid,
My words have power to change the face of the world,
words to lift, to raise up, to bring glory to God…
 
Wild horses, untamed, the words running free already,
magic loosed into the universe long before I found them,
or they found me, ready, open, excited by the encounter,
fire, gathered into my hands, unburned, shining brightly,
Water poured into me, ablaze in vibrant colors, surging, rising,
finding a deeper consciousness, a place within our dreams…
 
----------  
Edited April 17, 2025
Fire, gathered from the ether – v2
 
Edited April 17, 2025
My words are my weapons – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/my-words-are-my-weapons-v4.html
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
Palm Sunday massacre in Sumy, Ukraine
Revised April 11, 2025
Kryvyi Rih – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/kryvyi-rih-v2-kryvyi-rih-not-just.html
Russian attack on a playground in Kryvyi Rih took the lives of nine children.
Edited April 9, 2025
We forfeit our humanity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-forfeit-our-humanity-v2.html
Edited April 7, 2025
Our words are inadequate – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/our-words-are-inadequate-v2.html
Edited April 7, 2025
We don’t speak with power – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-dont-speak-with-power-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, 202 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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Bucha, writing, weapons, pen, sword,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #KryvyiRih #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war #Sumy #Bucha #writing #weapons #pen #sword

Hold me tightly, Lord Jesus

You know me completely,
You know my heart, my weakness,
hold me tightly, Lord Jesus,
how I long to walk with You,
and to walk with You in Glory…
 
Hold me tightly, Lord Jesus,
when I falter, when I stumble,
redeem me from my brokenness,
lead me to Your cross,
to the way to Paradise…
 
-----
April 17, 2025
Hold me tightly, Lord Jesus
 
Based on #John6:37-40
April 17, 2025
God knows my heart
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/god-knows-my-heart.html
Based on #1Samuel16:8
Based on #Matthew22:35-40
Based on #Matthew5:21-22
Based on Matthew 5:27-28
Based on #Matthew23:27-28
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
April 17, 2025
Christ came for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/christ-came-for-me.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
 
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, regeneration, John 6,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit

God knows my heart

I know my heart,
every sin I have committed
I may not remember them in detail
but I know they exist…
 
God knows my heart,
every sin I have committed
every word, every action
and every thought I have hidden…
 
I am so fearful, convicted,
for every sin I have committed
I freely admit I must repent
for God to heal me completely…
 
God knows my heart,
every sin I have committed
but God descended as Jesus
and climbed my cross to save me…
 
-----
April 17, 2025
God knows my heart
 
Based on #1Samuel16:8
Based on #Matthew22:35-40
Based on #Matthew5:21-22
Based on Matthew 5:27-28
Based on #Matthew23:27-28
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
April 17, 2025
Christ came for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/christ-came-for-me.html
Based on #Matthew9:11-13
Based on #Luke18:9-14
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
 
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, regeneration, Matthew 22, 1 Samuel 16,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit

Christ came for me

Christ came for me,
for those who are lost,
sinners estranged from God,
for me, for all of us…
 
Christ knew me completely,
thousands of years before my existence
He chose to climb the cross
for me, for all of us…
 
Christ loved me fully,
that is why He descended,
to redeem us from damnation,
for me, for all of us…
 
-----
April 17, 2025
Christ came for me
 
Based on #Matthew9:11-13
Based on #Luke18:9-14
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 2, Day 2
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 1
April 12, 2025
You saved me for a purpose
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/you-saved-me-for-purpose.html
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 1, 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, regeneration, Matthew 9, Luke 18,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit

Fire, gathered from the ether

Fire, gathered from the ether, threads,
something holy, eternal, within every breath,
words of passion, empathy, confession, conviction,
a rising of justice in the crucible of our present age
life held deep within us, springing forth like water,
hope for love to abound, for peace to endure…
 
Arrows in my quiver, my bow at the ready,
darts to pierce the darkness, rage to start a blaze,
nothing lukewarm, the fire raging within me, alive,
anger at injustice, complicity, the feckless, the liars,
oligarchs chasing power, the haters in our midst,
minions of Satan, those who would defeat us…
 
Fire, gathered from the ether, flames woven together,
yet not burning my flesh because they are sacred, gifted,
words from Almighty God placed in my hands, my heart,
if I am faithful, even when I am fearful, when I am timid,
my words have power to change the face of the world,
words to lift up, to raise up, to bring glory to God…
 
----------  
April 17, 2025
Fire, gathered from the ether
 
Edited April 17, 2025
My words are my weapons – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/my-words-are-my-weapons-v4.html
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
Palm Sunday massacre in Sumy, Ukraine
Revised April 11, 2025
Kryvyi Rih – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/kryvyi-rih-v2-kryvyi-rih-not-just.html
Russian attack on a playground in Kryvyi Rih took the lives of nine children.
Edited April 9, 2025
We forfeit our humanity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-forfeit-our-humanity-v2.html
Edited April 7, 2025
Our words are inadequate – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/our-words-are-inadequate-v2.html
Edited April 7, 2025
We don’t speak with power – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-dont-speak-with-power-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, 202 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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Bucha, writing, weapons, pen, sword,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #KryvyiRih #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war #Sumy #Bucha #writing #weapons #pen #sword

My words are my weapons – v4

My words are my weapons,
in the battle that is raging,
sharp arrows in my quiver,
my drones, my missiles,
sharpened to a fine edge
through years of combat,
trials against injustice,
railing now against their evil,
to change hearts, to rally allies,
to see the arc of history bend
toward justice for Ukraine...

My words are my weapons
arrows I have been gifted,
fire gathered from the ether,
from my empathy, my passion,
written, typed on these pages,
shared widely, freely, urgently,
like stones skipped on a still pond,
casting ripples, moving, expanding,
to change hearts, raising prayers,
to see the arc of history bend
toward justice for Ukraine...

----------  
Edited April 17, 2025
My words are my weapons – v4
 
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
Palm Sunday massacre in Sumy, Ukraine
Revised April 11, 2025
Kryvyi Rih – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/kryvyi-rih-v2-kryvyi-rih-not-just.html
Russian attack on a playground in Kryvyi Rih took the lives of nine children.
Edited April 10, 2025
Stealing their history, their future – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/stealing-their-history-their-future-v2.html
@BringKidsBackUA #BringKidsBackUA
Russia’s kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children.
Edited April 9, 2025
We forfeit our humanity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-forfeit-our-humanity-v2.html
Edited April 8, 2025
Where is our conscience, our humanity
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/where-is-our-conscience-our-humanity.html
Edited April 7, 2025
Our words are inadequate – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/our-words-are-inadequate-v2.html
Edited April 7, 2025
Where is our conscience, our morality – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/where-is-our-conscience-our-morality-v2.html
Edited April 7, 2025
We don’t speak with power – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-dont-speak-with-power-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, 202 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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Bucha, writing, weapons, pen, sword,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #KryvyiRih #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war #Sumy #Bucha #writing #weapons #pen #sword