High upon a mountain #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukraine #Ukraina #war

High upon a mountain, a hilltop,
a tremor, above the mighty Dnipro,
the Bard stirs in his tomb, restless,
for His is The Great Grave, where glory
was hidden, safeguarded, on the heights…
 
The glory of Ukraine has been opened,
the treasure that Moskals fought for hidden,
together Kobzars, black-haired maidens
all sing songs of their victory, triumph,
for their boundless love of Ukraine…

Today’s warriors are his kinsmen,
together resolute in this battle
standing against Moskals once again,
the same evil as before, criminals,
seeking to steal, to destroy,
to rob Ukraine of its treasure,
her homeland, her identity…

 
--------
Edited/new poem May 30, 2025
High upon a mountain
 
Edited November 4, 2024
The spell has been broken – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-spell-has-been-broken-v4.html
after poem, “The spell has been broken”,
based on the poems, “The Great Grave”,
““To Marko Vovchok”,
about Maria Markovich,
and “Hosea, Chapter XIV”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
taking his poem into the Ukraine / Russia War
and the bravery of the people of Ukraine now
and the idea that the grave of Taras Shevchenko itself is The Great Grave...
&
Edited November 28, 2024
The Great Grave has been opened – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-great-grave-has-been-opened-v3.html
edited and posted October 18, 2024
based on the poem, “The Great Grave”,
&
Edited November 28, 2024
The Great Grave being opened – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-great-grave-being-opened-v3.html
after poem, “The Great Grave being opened”,
based on the poem, “The Great Grave”
 
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, pain, serfdom, muse, prison,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

Why are we silent – v2

Why are we silent in the face of their evil
while their attacks have become more brutal
killing the innocents, now martyrs,
why don’t we act to stop their genocide?
how can we allow this terror to continue,
don’t we understand we are complicit,
that we have joined the monster, the madman,
we are covered in innocent blood?
 
The whole world is watching while with dither
talking when we should be acting, resolute,
while we fail to act, moment by moment,
year upon year, too many dead to count,
so many innocent lives cut short, destroyed,
too many lives torn apart, shattered in terror,
all for fear of escalation, appeasement, complicity,
too many hopes buried in that ground…
 
How can we remain silent before genocide
have we learned nothing from history,
the costs of being silent, complicit, forgetting
there is no neutrality, we have chosen murder
we have wantonly sided with their evil
failing to act is agreement with terror,
leaving them to defend themselves alone,
when we promised to come to their aid?
 
---------------
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
 
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, defenders, support, proxy,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #Defenders #support #proxy

Why are we silent

Why are we silent in the face of their evil
why don’t we act to stop their genocide?
how can we allow this terror to continue,
don’t we understand we are complicit,
we are covered in innocent blood?
 
The whole is watching while with dither
while we fail to act, moment by moment,
year upon year, too many dead to count,
so many innocent lives cut short, destroyed,
too many lives torn apart, shattered in terror,
all for fear of escalation, appeasement, complicity,
too many hopes buried in that ground…
 
How can we remain silent before genocide
there is no neutrality, we have chosen murder
failing to act is agreement with terror,
leaving them to defend themselves alone,
when we promised to come to their aid?
 
---------------
May 29, 2025
Why are we silent
 
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-russia-v3.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, defenders, support, proxy,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #Defenders #support #proxy

Weakening Russia – v3

For far too long we have only been weakening Russia
never wanting to defeat it, only sapping it of its power
the tools of war, of terror, their men, missiles and tanks,
depleting their ability to commit more genocide in Ukraine…
 
We have only given so much aid, just enough to slow them,
to those fighting evil, those on the frontlines, in trenches,
only giving Ukraine that much and no more, a proxy state,
only to weaken Russia, to make their losses greater…
 
What would have happened, how would these years
have been different if the allies were not so timid,
what would have happened if they saw Ukraine
as an ally, if they sought Russia’s defeat…
 
How many lives would’ve been saved
from the slaughter, Russian terror,
if genocide was met with force
to stop them from beginning…
 
It is not too late to change,
lives are still in balance;
the crucible of war yet
can be quenched…
 
We must have the will
to defeat evil, terror,
we must Stand with Ukraine
in this critical hour…
 
---------------
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
 
 
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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, defenders, support, proxy,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #Defenders #support #proxy

living a postponed life – v3

each one of them living a postponed life,
their dreams, their paths put on hold,
giving everything they are, their lives,
to defend their homeland, Ukraine…
 
each defender, those working, volunteers,
seeking to defeat the scourge of Russia
each of them sacrificing so much, each day,
for the land that they love, Ukraine…
 
each one of them living a postponed life,
in the moment, in this present,
so future generations will be free
dreams not held in statis, for Ukraine…
 
each of them has made a choice
for Ukraina, their homeland,
standing in the breach right now
every second a sacrifice for Ukraine…
 
each one of them living a postponed life
their dreams frozen in amber,
waiting for the thaw, a just peace,
to wash over their homeland, Ukraine…
 
-----------
Edited May 28, 2025
living a postponed life – v3
 
Edited September 21, 2024
Their best sons and daughters – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters-v3.html
April 18, 2023 Twitter post about a defender at the time of her 30^th birthday…
“I am not afraid of my death. I accept it. But I am afraid to lose the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. No one wants to pass this war to our descendants… I am living a postponed life now. If we don’t work as hard as it is only possible now there won’t be a second chance.”
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, Kharkiv, Odesa, Ilovaisk, Poltava, Mariupol, Bucha, Stand With Ukraine,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #peace #StandWithUkraine #valor #martyrs #heroes #sacrifice #GlorytotheHeroes #SlavaUkraini

like an undiscovered country – v2

Our fantasies will become reality,
a whisper across the time zones,
our love manifest, come to life
we will take our time, our eternity,
exploring each other, all of you,
like an undiscovered country
me a blind man, using my senses,
using the braille of your body,
my passion rises, to explode…
 
I want all of you, sweetheart,
my desire, my living hope,
to be one with you, inside you,
to feel our bodies entwined,
looking into the pool of your eyes,
a beating of our hearts together,
sweet taste of your eager tongue
dancing with mine, together,
as we rise in passion, as one…
 
Our fantasies will become reality
our lives will finally be complete,
as I hold you in my arms,
as we walk hand in hand,
as we stop to profess our love,
cherishing every moment,
the fact that you are alive,
the crucible of war behind you,
as together we share our lives…
 
----
Edited May 29, 2025
like an undiscovered country – v2
 
Edited May 28, 2025
living a postponed life – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/living-postponed-life-v2.html
Edited September 21, 2024
Their best sons and daughters – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters-v3.html
April 18, 2023 Twitter post
quotes from defender, at the time of her 30^th birthday…
“I am not afraid of my death. I accept it. But I am afraid to lose the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. No one wants to pass this war to our descendants… I am living a postponed life now. If we don’t work as hard as it is only possible now there won’t be a second chance.”
Edited May 11, 2025
How I long to hold you – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/how-i-long-to-hold-you-v2.html
Edited April 27, 2025
We are one, my love – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-are-one-my-love-v2.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 #love #lovepoem

like an undiscovered country

Our fantasies will become reality

our love manifest, come to life
we will take our time, our eternity,
exploring each other, all of you,
like an undiscovered country
me a blind man, using my senses,
using the braille of your body,
my passion rises, to explode…
 
I want all of you, sweetheart,
my desire, my living hope,
to be one with you, inside you,
to look into the pool of your eyes,
the beating of our hearts together,
the taste of your eager tongue
dancing with mine, together,
as we rise in passion, as one…
 
Our fantasies will become reality
as I hold you in my arms,
as we walk hand in hand,
as we stop to profess our love,
cherishing every moment,
the fact that you are alive,
the crucible of war behind you,
as together we share our lives…
 
----
May 29, 2025
like an undiscovered country
 
Edited May 28, 2025
living a postponed life – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/living-postponed-life-v2.html
Edited September 21, 2024
Their best sons and daughters – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters-v3.html
April 18, 2023 Twitter post
quotes from defender, at the time of her 30^th birthday…
“I am not afraid of my death. I accept it. But I am afraid to lose the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. No one wants to pass this war to our descendants… I am living a postponed life now. If we don’t work as hard as it is only possible now there won’t be a second chance.”
Edited May 11, 2025
How I long to hold you – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/how-i-long-to-hold-you-v2.html
Edited April 27, 2025
We are one, my love – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/we-are-one-my-love-v2.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

living a postponed life – v2

living a postponed life,
their dreams, their paths on hold,
giving everything they are
to defend their homeland, Ukraine…
 
each defender, those working, volunteers,
seeking to defeat the scourge of Russia
each of them sacrificing so much
for the land that they love…
 
living a postponed life,
in the moment, this present,
so future generations will be free
their dreams not held in statis…
 
each of them has made a choice
for Ukraina, their homeland,
standing in the breach right now
every second a sacrifice…
 
living a postponed life
their dreams frozen in amber,
waiting for the thaw, a just peace,
to wash over their homeland…
 
-----------
Edited May 28, 2025
living a postponed life – v2
 
Edited September 21, 2024
Their best sons and daughters – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters-v3.html
quotes from defender at the time of her 30^th birthday in 2023…
“I am not afraid of my death. I accept it. But I am afraid to lose the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. No one wants to pass this war to our descendants… I am living a postponed life now. If we don’t work as hard as it is only possible now there won’t be a second chance.”
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, Kharkiv, Odesa, Ilovaisk, Poltava, Mariupol, Bucha, Stand With Ukraine,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #peace #StandWithUkraine #valor #martyrs #heroes #sacrifice #GlorytotheHeroes #SlavaUkraini

living a postponed life

each defender, those working,
seeking to defeat the scourge of Russia
each of them sacrificing so much
for the land they each love…
 
living a postponed life
in the moment, this present,
so future generations will be free
their dreams not held in statis…
 
each of them has made a choice
for Ukraina, their homeland,
standing in the breach right now
every second a sacrifice…
 
living a postponed life
their dreams frozen in amber,
waiting for the thaw, a just peace,
to wash over their homeland…
 
-----------
May 28, 2025
living a postponed life
 
Edited September 21, 2024
Their best sons and daughters – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters-v3.html
April 18, 2023 Twitter post,
quotes from Christina Kydrava, at the time of her 30^th birthday…
“I am not afraid of my death. I accept it. But I am afraid to lose the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. No one wants to pass this war to our descendants… I am living a postponed life now. If we don’t work as hard as it is only possible now there won’t be a second chance.”
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 #war #terror #genocide #peace #StandWithUkraine #valor #martyrs #heroes #sacrifice #GlorytotheHeroes #SlavaUkraini

Weakening Russia – v2

Weakening Russia
sapping it of its power
the tools of war, terror,
of their genocide in Ukraine…
 
Only so much aid
to those fighting evil
only to weaken Russia
that much and no more…
 
What would have happened
if the allies were not timid,
what would have happened
if they sought Russia’s defeat…
 
How many lives would’ve been saved
from the slaughter, Russian terror,
if genocide was met with force
to stop them from beginning…
 
It is not too late to change,
lives are still in the balance,
the crucible of war yet
can be quenched…
 
We must just have the will
to defeat their evil, their terror,
we must stand with Ukraine
in this critical hour…
 
---------------
Edited May 28, 2025
Weakening Russia – v2
 
 
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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, defenders, support, proxy,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #Defenders #support #proxy

Weakening Russia

Weakening Russia
sapping it of power
the tools of war,
of their genocide…
 
Only so much aid
to those fighting evil
only to weaken Russia
that much and no more…
 
What would have happened
if the allies were not timid
what would have happened
if their sought their defeat…
 
How many lives would’ve been saved
from the slaughter, Russian terror,
if genocide was met with force
to stop them at the beginning…
 
It is not too late to change,
lives are still in the balance,
the crucible of war yet
can be quenched…
 
We must just have the will
to defeat their evil
we must stand with Ukraine
in this critical hour…
 
---------------
May 28, 2025
Weakening Russia
 
 
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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, defenders, support, proxy,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #Defenders #support #proxy

A last straw, a hope against hope

Nowhere to turn in this moment,
needing assistance to just survive,
cries I hear repeated, over and over again,
wanting to thrive, to exist, in the crucible of war,
in the urgent moment of this now…
 
A last straw, a hope against hope,
throwing a stone into the ether,
reaching out across the miles, distance,
to find a heart willing to risk, to be open,
to offer assistance in time…
 
I hear your plea, your cry into the ether,
the despair of the defenders, fighting,
words of urgency, of moment,
in the crucible of war, of terror,
as the missile flood the skies…
 
Screams of Shaheds, glide bombs,
terror, wanton destruction, struggle,
loss of supplies, what is needed,
all the ways made harder, surviving,
in the urgency of this moment…
 
---------------
Edited May 27, 2025
A last straw, a hope against hope
 
Ukraine’s Defenders constantly seeking financial support
 
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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, defenders, support
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #Defenders #support

fire of passion burning – v2

love, fire captured, frozen,
in the variegated rose petals,
urgency of now, wanting,
your look and your touch…
 
fire of passion burning
in the flesh of the roses,
ignited in bright colors,
a delicate bouquet…
 
rich red, oranges and yellows,
crimsons and subtle textures,
rising with our passions,
our dreams come to life…
 
fire of passion burning,
feathered cups of perfection,
lovingly being revealed,
within every bloom…

 
------------
Edited May 26, 2025
the fire of passion burning – v2
 
Edited December 31, 2023
Roses like parchment – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/roses-like-parchment-v2.html
Edited December 31, 2023
Roses of Crepe Paper – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/roses-of-crepe-paper-v3.html
February 27, 2021
Crepe Paper Roses
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/02/crepe-paper-roses.html
edited November 17, 2015
Rice Paper Blossoms – v14
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/11/rice-paper-blossoms-v14.html
edited June 24, 2019
Baby Rose Petals – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/06/baby-rose-petals-v4.html 
edited June 30, 2014
Captive Roses – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/captive-roses-v2.html
February 1, 2008
Captive Roses
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/02/captive-roses.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, roses, God, creation, beauty, fire, color, delicate,
#Roses #God #creation #beauty #fire #color #delicate

flocking to our Savior

like little children, eager,
seeing Jesus coming
flocking to our Savior
wanting to be with God…
 
sitting down with Jesus
sitting at His feet
wanting to hear His message
wanting feel His presence,
His love, His grace…

coming forward, running,

sitting down with Jesus 

drinking of the living water

eating of the bread of life…

like little children sitting,

running to our Lord Jesus

each of us called to Him

to be His disciples,

to be His hands and feet…

 
-----
May 26, 2025
flocking to our Savior
 
welcome May 25, 2025
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
May 11, 2025
fight fire with water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/fight-fire-with-water.html
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
Based on #Daniel6:25-27
Based on Daniel 6:1-27
Sermon May 4, 2025
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
Edited May 8, 2025
we are declared children – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/we-are-declared-children-v2.html
Based on #1Peter2:1-10
Sermon May 4, 2025
April 12, 2025
a fire in our hearts
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/a-fire-in-our-hearts-word-burning-alive.html
Based on #1Peter1:13-21
sermon April 6, 2025
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
 
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, 1 Peter 2,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit

fighting Fire with Fire

an ancient response
buried deep within us
choosing to fight, to stand,
to run headlong into battle…
 
wanting to defeat
evil mustered against us
angry for their sins
harm they have committed…
 
losing our perspective
our place in creation
when we are held
in God’s loving hand…
 
we gear up for battle
when it is God’s to fathom
the appropriate punishment
for every sin…

-----  
Edited May 26, 2025
fighting Fire with Fire – v2
 
re:generation, Step 4, Inventory, Week 2, Day 2
May 11, 2025
fight fire with water
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/fight-fire-with-water.html
Based on #1Peter2:9-17
Sermon May 4, 2025
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
 
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, resentment, anger, fear, memory, history, pain, hurt, sin,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #fear #resentment #anger #memory #history #pain #hurt #sin

We have given them permission – v2

In our silence we have spoken
we have given them permission
we have loosed the dog of war
waves of terror, of genocide,
on this good and ancient people…
 
We have sided with the aggressor
by not stopping their aggression
in remaining neutral, cautious,
there is no neutrality in genocide
we must quickly change course…
 
Nothing else matters, truly,
we must stand with the victims,
those hiding from the terror,
we must not waver for one minute
because it is so late to act…
 
We must Stand With Ukraine
in action now in empty words,
in this existential sorrow, this fight,
we must arm them to achieve victory
to defeat the cancer spreading…
 
============
Edited May 26, 2025
We have given them permission – v2
 
Edited May 21, 2025
There is no neutrality in genocide – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/there-is-no-neutrality-in-genocide-v3.html
Edited April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-stain-of-their-blood-v2.html
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
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 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
 
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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, sanctions,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine #sanctions

A last straw, a hope against hope

Nowhere to turn, needing assistance,
a cry I hear repeated, over and over again,
wanting to thrive, to survive, in the crucible of war,
in the urgent moment of now…
 
A last straw, a hope against hope,
reaching out across the miles, the distance,
to find a heart willing to risk, to be open,
to offer assistance in time…
 
I hear your plea, your cry into the ether,
words of urgency, of moment,
in the crucible of war, of terror,
as the missile flood the skies…
 
Screams of Shaheds, glide bombs,
loss of supplies, what is needed,
all the ways made harder,
in the urgency of this moment…
 
---------------
May 26, 2025
A last straw, a hope against hope
 
Defenders constantly seeking financial support
May 26, 2025
We have given them permission
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/we-have-given-them-permission.html
Edited May 21, 2025
There is no neutrality in genocide – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/there-is-no-neutrality-in-genocide-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, victory, hope, courage, heroes, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine

We have given them permission

In our silence we have spoken
we have given them permission
we have loosed the dog of war
on this good and ancient people…
 
We have sided with the aggressor
by not stopping their aggression
there is no neutrality in genocide
we must quickly change course…
 
Nothing else matters, truly,
we must stand with the victims,
we must not waver for one minute
because it is so late to act…
 
We must Stand With Ukraine
in this existential sorrow, this fight,
we must arm them to achieve victory
to defeat the cancer spreading…
 
============
May 26, 2025
We have given them permission
 
Edited May 21, 2025
There is no neutrality in genocide – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/there-is-no-neutrality-in-genocide-v3.html
Edited April 18, 2025
The stain of their blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-stain-of-their-blood-v2.html

Edited April 14, 2025

Screaming into the Void – v3

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html 

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 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
 
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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine