Sweeter

Your Word, oh God, is sweeter,
sweeter than precious honey,
even from the honeycomb,
better for me, for my life,
than anything else on earth,
my portion, my comfort,
my calling, my light…
 
Your Love, oh God, is sweeter,
Your precious blood you offered,
Your sacrifice to save my life,
more precious than gold, sweeter
than honey, even from the honeycomb,
my refuge, my strong tower,
source of my strength…
 
----- 
April 25, 2025
Sweeter
 
Based on #Psalm119:101
Based on #Psalm19:7, 10
Based on Psalm 119:97-104
Men’s Thursday night bible study
North Hills Church
April 25, 2025
Ever with me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/ever-with-me.html
Based on #Psalm119:98b
April 25, 2025
I am immersed in Your Word
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/i-am-immersed-in-your-word.html
Based on #Psalm119:97b
April 25, 2025
I have sat at Your feet
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/i-have-sat-at-your-feet.html
Based on #Psalm119:102b
April 3, 2025
Standing on the wall of Your city
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/standing-on-wall-of-your-city.html
Based on #Psalm119:82
Based on Psalm 119:81-88
Edited March 22, 2025
In ashes, in sackcloth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-ashes-in-sackcloth-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:25
Based on Psalm 119:25-32
Saturday morning men's group
Edited March 14, 2025
At the rise of the Third Watch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/at-rise-of-third-watch-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Edited March 14, 2025
in my distress, in adversity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-my-distress-in-adversity-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Based on Psalm 119:57-64
 
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, Spirit, love, grace, Psalm 119,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

Ever with me

Your word, oh Lord,
is ever with me,
You have planted my feet
on solid ground…
 
Your promise, Your love,
comes down beside me,
Your Word grounds me
in the midst of my storms…
 
Your love, oh God,
is ever with me,
I sense You with me,
as close as breath…
 
----- 
April 25, 2025
Ever with me
 
Based on #Psalm119:98b
Based on Psalm 119:97-104
Men’s Thursday night bible study
North Hills Church
April 25, 2025
I am immersed in Your Word
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/i-am-immersed-in-your-word.html
Based on #Psalm119:97b
April 25, 2025
I have sat at Your feet
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/i-have-sat-at-your-feet.html
Based on #Psalm119:102b
April 3, 2025
Standing on the wall of Your city
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/standing-on-wall-of-your-city.html
Based on #Psalm119:82
Based on Psalm 119:81-88
Edited March 22, 2025
In ashes, in sackcloth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-ashes-in-sackcloth-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:25
Based on Psalm 119:25-32
Saturday morning men's group
Edited March 14, 2025
At the rise of the Third Watch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/at-rise-of-third-watch-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Edited March 14, 2025
in my distress, in adversity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-my-distress-in-adversity-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Based on Psalm 119:57-64
 
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, Spirit, love, grace, Psalm 119,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

I am immersed in Your Word

I am immersed in Your Word
I am drenched in Your Love
my life has meaning, purpose,
a calling from above…
 
I am immersed in Your Word
I dwell in Him day and night,
I am at peace, redeemed,
washing in Your love…
 
----- 
April 25, 2025
I am immersed in Your Word
 
Based on #Psalm119:97b
Based on Psalm 119:97-104
Men’s Thursday night bible study
North Hills Church
April 25, 2025
I have sat at Your feet
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/i-have-sat-at-your-feet.html
Based on #Psalm119:102b
April 3, 2025
Standing on the wall of Your city
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/standing-on-wall-of-your-city.html
Based on #Psalm119:82
Based on Psalm 119:81-88
Edited March 22, 2025
In ashes, in sackcloth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-ashes-in-sackcloth-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:25
Based on Psalm 119:25-32
Saturday morning men's group
Edited March 14, 2025
At the rise of the Third Watch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/at-rise-of-third-watch-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Edited March 14, 2025
in my distress, in adversity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-my-distress-in-adversity-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Based on Psalm 119:57-64
 
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, Spirit, love, grace, Psalm 119,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

I have sat at Your feet

I have sat at Your feet,
You have spoken right to me,
You have taught me, oh God,
to meditate on Your Word…
 
I long to be with You,
to dwell within You,
to feel You with me
every step of my life…
 
I have sat at Your feet
You have filled my heart,
You have lifted my spirit,
You have washed me in love…
 
----- 
April 25, 2025
I have sat at Your feet
 
Based on #Psalm119:102b
Based on Psalm 119:97-104
Based on #Luke10:38-42, Mary and Martha
Men’s Thursday night bible study
North Hills Church
April 3, 2025
Standing on the wall of Your city
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/standing-on-wall-of-your-city.html
Based on #Psalm119:82
Based on Psalm 119:81-88
The letter “Kaph”.
Edited March 22, 2025
In ashes, in sackcloth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-ashes-in-sackcloth-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:25
Based on Psalm 119:25-32
Saturday morning men's group
Edited March 14, 2025
At the rise of the Third Watch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/at-rise-of-third-watch-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Edited March 14, 2025
in my distress, in adversity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-my-distress-in-adversity-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Based on Psalm 119:57-64
The letter “Heth”.
 
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, Spirit, love, grace, Psalm 119,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

I trust God to heal me

God has brought me here for a reason
this time is no accident, chance,
this moment is a divine appointment
God has brought me here to heal me…
 
I trust God to heal me
because God has shown me He loves me
He has saved me from death
innumerable times before…
 
I may be lost, I may be broken,
but I am redeemed, a gift,
I am here for a purpose,
God has told me so…
 
I trust God to heal me
but I must submit to His correction,
God will restore my life
as He has done countless times before…
 
-----
April 25, 2025
I trust God to heal me
 
re:generation, Step 3, Trust, Week 1
April 17, 2025
Christ came for me
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/christ-came-for-me.html
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

We must maintain our humanity – v2 #Ukraine #StandWithUkraine

We must not lose ourselves
who we are within our center,
in the face of their abject evil
We must maintain our humanity
in the hell of genocide…
 
We must not succumb to anger,
to the bile of temptation, fever,
to the cancer of this moment
We must stand resolute with
these good and brave people…
 
We must rail against the enemy,
against their terror, their evil,
but we must stand on principle,
We must never forget our values
what we truly hold most dear…
 
We must stand with Ukraine, now,
not standing on the sidelines, silent,
in their battle for survival, for freedom,
We rail against the evil of Russia, but,
We must maintain our humanity…
 
----------  
Edited April 25, 2025
We must maintain our humanity – v2
 
Edited April 24, 2025
We must stand with Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-must-stand-with-ukraine-v2.html
Edited April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-stain-of-their-blood-v2.html
April 18, 2025 Good Friday
Statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
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
Nine children murdered by Vladimir Putin, by Russia, April 4, 2025 in Kryvyi Rih.
 
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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Stand with Ukraine,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #KryvyiRih #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war #Sumy #StandWithUkraine #DefeatRussia

We must #StandWithUkraine – v2 #Ukraine #DefeatRussia

We must stand with Ukraine
We must not waver, not falter,
We must not abandon Ukraine
While they fight to survive,
to defeat the evil of Russia
their acts of terror, of chaos,
their war of genocide,
We must stand with Ukraine
with them for as long as it takes…
 
We must stand with Ukraine
with our values, with freedom,
We must fight together with them
as our allies, our brethren, united
with all who long to survive, free,
to shake off the yoke of the oppressor,
to say no to the tyrants using terror,
genocide, drones and missiles to defeat
this good and brave people
 
We must stand with Ukraine, now,
in the crucible of war, this struggle,
We must not waver, we must not falter,
We must not tire, we must not grow weary,
in this time of their testing, in the fight
to shake off the yoke of oppression,
freeing themselves from Russian terror,
We must stand with Ukraine, united,
with them for as long as it takes…
 
----------  
Edited April 24, 2025
We must stand with Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-must-stand-with-ukraine-v2.html
April 24, 2025
We must maintain our humanity
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-must-maintain-our-humanity.html
Edited April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-stain-of-their-blood-v2.html
April 18, 2025 Good Friday
Statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
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
Nine children murdered by Vladimir Putin, by Russia, April 4, 2025 in Kryvyi Rih.
 
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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Stand with Ukraine,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #KryvyiRih #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war #Sumy #StandWithUkraine #DefeatRussia

We must stand with Ukraine

We must stand with Ukraine
We must not waver,
We must not falter
while they fight to survive,
to defeat Russia
their acts of terror,
their war of genocide,
We must stand with Ukraine
for as long as it takes…
 
We must stand with Ukraine
with our values, for freedom,
We must fight with them
as our allies, our brethren,
all who long to survive,
to shake off the yoke
of the oppressor, the tyrants,
using terror, genocide, to defeat
this good and brave people
 
We must stand with Ukraine
in the crucible of war, struggle,
We must not waver,
We must not tire, weary,
in this time of their testing,
shaking off the yoke of oppression,
freeing themselves from Russian terror,
We must stand with Ukraine
for as long as it takes…
 
----------  
April 24, 2025
We must stand with Ukraine
 
Edited December 23, 2024
Ukraine must win – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/ukraine-must-win-v5.html
April 24, 2025
We must maintain our humanity
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-must-maintain-our-humanity.html
Edited April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-stain-of-their-blood-v2.html
April 18, 2025 Good Friday
Statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
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
April 4, 2025 Russia murdered nine Ukrainian children on a playground in Kryvyi Rih
 
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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy, Stand with Ukraine,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #KryvyiRih #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #war #Sumy #StandWithUkraine

We must maintain our humanity

We must not lose ourselves
in the face of their abject evil
We must maintain our humanity
in the hell of genocide…
 
We must not succumb
to the cancer of this moment
We must stand resolute with
these good and brave people…
 
We must rail against the enemy
but we must stand on principle
We must never forget our values
what we hold most dear…
 
We must stand with Ukraine
in their battle for survival
We must rail against Russia, but,
We must maintain our humanity
 
----------  
April 24, 2025
We must maintain our humanity
 
Edited April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-stain-of-their-blood-v2.html
April 18, 2025 Good Friday
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
Revised April 11, 2025
Kryvyi Rih – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/kryvyi-rih-v2-kryvyi-rih-not-just.html
After watching President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
mourning the dead children in his hometown
https://x.com/i/status/1910727865722613775
murdered by Vladimir Putin, by Russia, April 4, 2025
Russian attack on a playground in Kryvyi Rih took the lives of nine children.
 
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, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson, Sumy,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #KryvyiRih #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war #Sumy

Holding your breath – v2

Your body taut, tense, frozen,
held in urgency, in tension,
in the disquiet of war, the terror,
in the crucible of genocide…
 
Stretched beyond limits,
what we are meant to endure,
but striving because you must,
your mission, your position is clear…
 
Release must come, quickly,
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,
united, against our enemy…
 
-------
Edited April 24, 2025
Holding your breath – v2
 
Edited April 23, 2025
Remembering to Exhale – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/remembering-to-exhale-v2.html
Edited April 23, 2025
Stretched Taut – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/stretched-taut-v2.html  
Based on a defender’s post on her birthday
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
Eyes that have seen too much – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/eyes-that-have-seen-too-much-v3.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, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace

Stretched Taut – v2

Held in constant tension
pulled to her limit, beyond…
stretched taut, frozen, pulled,
across the breach, the chasm,
no rest, no relenting, danger,
a constant, a reality, war,
holding on in sacrifice,
in duty to her country…
 
I can hear the tension,
a tremor in her spirit, human,
words she has spoken before,
when she was asked by others,
letting down her guard, being
brutally honest, transparent,
acknowledging how tired she is
stretched to her limit…
 
-------
Edited April 23, 2025
Stretched Taut – v2
 
Edited April 23, 2025
Remembering to Exhale – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/remembering-to-exhale-v2.html
April 23, 2025
Holding your breath
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/holding-your-breath.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.
 
--------------
poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace
 

Remembering to Exhale – v2

Holding your breath,
on guard, listening for danger,
air raid sirens, the struggle,
sacrifice, resolve, determination,
always at the ready, on the wall,
on the frontlines against terror,
stretched taut, pulled
to your breaking point…
 
Needing to step back,
to recognize your own limits,
remembering to breathe, to exhale,
to linger away from present danger,
to recover, to laugh, to change
back into yourself,
to return to the battle,
suited with new armor…
 
-------
Edited April 23, 2025
Remembering to Exhale – v2
 
April 23, 2025
Holding your breath
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/holding-your-breath.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