Redeem the time #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #regeneration #Ephesians5 #John15 #Genesis3

Redeem the time,
for every second is precious
Every moment is fleeting
though the days are evil
like sand in our hands…
 
Submit to one another,
hold each other closely,
out of reverence for Christ,
Live in this moment,
forsaking the flesh…
 
Resist evil, the Devil,
stand in the gap,
in praise, in worship,
Sing to the Lord, psalms,
out of your grateful heart…
 
Redeem the time
every second is precious..
God has gifted you
these moments of decision,
listen to the Spirit, abide within…
 
--------------
October 9, 2025

Redeem the time

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/redeem-time.html

Based on Ephesians 5:15-21
Based on John 15
Based on Genesis 3
Men’s Thursday morning bible study
September 22, 2025
confess freely
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/confess-freely.html
Based on #Psalm32
Based on #Psalm51
regeneration, Step 10, Continue, Week 1, Large group meeting
September 22, 2025
You forgave my iniquity
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/you-forgave-my-iniquity.html
Edited September 22, 2025
The Stench of Our Prisons
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-stench-of-our-prisons.html
Based on Ephesians 4:17-24
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
 
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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, confession, Ephesians 5, John 15, Genesis 3,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #regeneration #Ephesians5 #John15 #Genesis3

Harrowing Moments #Ukrainian #Ukraine #war #bullets #Georgia #Georgian #Keti #Leshkasheli ქეთი ლეშკაშელი

The truth is not pretty
anger of bullets, of terror,
coming at them, the courageous,
those resolute against the fire,
The genocide of the Russian state…

We must not be complacent,
Neutral in our posture,
complicit in our inaction...
We stand with the fighters,
The Defenders of Ukraine…

We must stand with them
Those who fight evil,
Now, more than ever,
in the harrowing moments
When the bullets fly…

--------  
October 8, 2025
Harrowing Moments
Edited October 7, 2025
We must stand on the side of Freedom – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/we-must-stand-on-side-of-freedom-v2.html
Edited November 29, 2024
the front will be everywhere – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere-v3.html
Quote: “На фронті будуть всі,
aбо фронт буде всюди”
“Everyone will be at the front,
or the front will be everywhere"
November 12, 2024
the front will be everywhere
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2_27.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
The anguished words of the defenders
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-anguished-words-of-defenders-v2_26.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
Ten years under the gun – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/ten-years-under-gun-v2_26.html
Written and posted October 15, 2024
in this moment of madness
Typed October 18, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness_25.html
Written and posted October 12, 2024
In the crucible of war – 2 – v1
Typed October 17, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-crucible-of-war-2-v1_25.html

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 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, Georgia, Georgian,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Georgian

descending into #darkness – v3 #General #Frost General #Winter #Russia #Ukraine #Cold #Snow #drones #war #energy #powerplants

Генерал Мороз, Генерал Зима

A nation-state of terror
collapsing in on itself,
no information for their people…
Retribution for genocide
for premeditated murder,
for their endless war crimes...
No longer an ally, a brother,
The Bear will soon face destruction…
General Frost, General Winter,
has become their enemy,
the source of their sorrow,
as the lights flicker out,
freezing in the dark…

Descending into darkness
As Russian Winter closes in,
no longer safe, protected,
drones targeting electricity,
thermal power stations, refineries,
War has finally come home...
Not like in history, wars of the past,
When Winter was their friend...
Now, at this moment,
against asymmetrical war…
The vastness of Russia,
The steppes, the cold of Siberia,
General Frost will bring their doom…

The bear is caught in a trap
Retribution from the skies,
No longer an ally, a friend,
The enemy of General Winter…
Judgment is coming quickly,
in His hand, His icy grip...
Every queue for gasoline, for diesel,
Every fuel train that is destroyed,
shattering their sense of security…
Every refinery set ablaze, on fire,
new missile attacks on thermal power
Sets the stage for sorrow, General Frost,
for their cold, quickening death…

-----
Edited October 8, 2025
descending into darkness – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/descending-into-darkness-v3.html
Ukrainian drones and missiles
taking out Russian energy systems
as Winter approaches…
Edited September 30, 2025
General Frost, General Winter – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/general-frost-general-winter-v2.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE1N5V0sz-0
The title is about the Russian winter and its role in
the Great Northern War, the Napoleonic War, and WWII,
and how it may be very different in the Ukraine War,
where Ukraine is using asymmetrical warfare to attack
oil and gas infrastructure rather than invading,
 
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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, Russia, Winter, General Frost, General Winter, heat, gasoline, drones, thermal power plants,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #Winter #drones #power #heat #gasoline #GeneralFrost #GeneralWinter

descending into #darkness – v2 #General #Frost General #Winter #Russia #Ukraine #Cold #Snow #drones #war #energy #powerplants

Генерал Мороз, Генерал Зима

A nation-state of terror

collapsing in on itself

Retribution for genocide 

for their endless war crimes...

No longer an ally, a brother,

The Bear will soon face destruction…

General Frost, General Winter,

has become their enemy,

the source of their sorrow,

as the lights flicker out,

freezing in the dark…

Descending into darkness 

As a Russian winter closes in,

drones targeting electricity, 

The war has finally come home...

Not like in history, wars of the past,

When Winter was their friend...

Now, at this moment,

against asymmetrical war…

The vastness of Russia,

The steppes, the cold of Siberia,

General Frost will bring their doom…

The bear is caught in a trap

The enemy of General Winter, 

Judgment is coming quickly,

in His hand, His icy grip...

Every queue for gasoline, for diesel,

Every fuel train that is destroyed,

shattering their sense of security…

Every refinery set ablaze, on fire,

new missile attacks on thermal power

Sets the stage for sorrow, General Frost,

for their quickening death…

----

Merged October 7, 2025

descending into darkness – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/descending-into-darkness-v2.html

Ukrainian drones and missiles
taking out Russian energy systems
as Winter approaches…
Edited September 30, 2025
General Frost, General Winter – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/general-frost-general-winter-v2.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE1N5V0sz-0
The title is about the Russian winter and its role in
the Great Northern War, the Napoleonic War, and WWII,
and how it may be very different in the Ukraine War,
where Ukraine is using asymmetrical warfare to attack
oil and gas infrastructure rather than invading,

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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, Ukraine, Russia, Winter, General Frost, General Winter, power, heat, gasoline, drones,

#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #Winter #drones #power #heat #gasoline #GeneralFrost #GeneralWinter

descending into darkness #Russia #Ukraine #Cold #Snow #drones #war #winter

a nation-state of terror
collapsing in on itself
Retribution for genocide
for endless war crimes...

descending into darkness
as Winter closes in,
drones targeting electricity,
the war come home...
 
the Bear caught in a trap
the enemy of General Winter,
an accounting coming quickly,
in His icy grip...

descending into darkness 
Ukrainian drones and missiles
taking out Russian energy systems
as Winter approaches…

---

October 7, 2025

descending into darkness

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/descending-into-darkness.html

Edited September 30, 2025
General Frost, General Winter – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/general-frost-general-winter-v2.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE1N5V0sz-0
The title is about the Russian winter and its role in
the Great Northern War, the Napoleonic War, and WWII,
and how it may be very different in the Ukraine War,
where Ukraine is using asymmetrical warfare to attack
oil and gas infrastructure rather than invading

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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 

Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, Ukraine, Russia, Winter, General Frost, General Winter, power, heat, gasoline, drones

#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #Winter #drones #power #heat #gasoline #GeneralFrost #GeneralWinter

We must stand on the side of #Freedom - v2 #Ukraine #Georgia #UnitedStates #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukrainian #Georgian #war

They are in the same existential battle,
marchers in Tbilisi, defenders in Pokrovsk,
different faces of the same fight,
Fighting the same enemy, Russia,
the power of corruption,
Puppets to the Madman,
the monster in the Kremlin…

We must stand on the side of Freedom,
"ჩვენ უნდა დავდგეთ თავისუფლების მხარეს",
"Ми повинні стояти на боці свободи,"
in this moment, in this time of trial,
in the crucible of war and protest…
to defeat the terror of Putin, the Moskals,
the common enemy we all fight…

This is the same challenge, the same call to arms,
since the Iron Curtain fell, dividing Europe,
millions of people subjugated, locked in chains,
as the Kremlin threatened annihilation…
The madness of the MAD doctrine,
cowing the West into appeasement,
bearing the same awful fruit today…

We must stand on the side of Freedom,
"ჩვენ უნდა დავდგეთ თავისუფლების მხარეს",
"Ми повинні стояти на боці свободи,"
in this moment, in this time of trial,
in the crucible of war and protest…
to defeat the terror of Putin, the Moskals,
the common enemy we all fight…
 
-------
Edited October 7, 2025
We must stand on the side of Freedom – v2

November 29, 2024
the front will be everywhere – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere-v3.html
Quote: “На фронті будуть всі,
aбо фронт буде всюди”
“Everyone will be at the front,
or the front will be everywhere"
November 12, 2024
the front will be everywhere
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere.html
October 17, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2_27.html
October 17, 2024
The anguished words of the defenders
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-anguished-words-of-defenders-v2_26.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
Ten years under the gun – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/ten-years-under-gun-v2_26.html
Written and posted October 15, 2024
in this moment of madness
Typed October 18, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness_25.html
Written and posted October 12, 2024
In the crucible of war – 2 – v1
Typed October 17, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-crucible-of-war-2-v1_25.html

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 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, Georgia, Georgian,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Georgian

an unwanted season #career #jobloss

Trials and tribulations,
a loss unexpected,
a moment of crisis,
a hole in his life,
seemingly lost…

An unwanted season,
a moment of anguish,
The doors closed before him…
Needing to cleave to
our Almighty God…

In our trials, our moments,
our seasons of darkness
When we despair,
When we have lost control,
God alone is our light…

We must be calm in our struggle,
We must listen in silence
for God’s whisper to us
calling us to His purpose
His will for our lives…

This isn’t easy, though it is simple,
giving our lives, our wills,
over to our God, our Lord;
But this step is essential
for us to have peace, purpose,
fulfilling our calling from God…

-----
October 7, 2025
an unwanted season

some of the struggles of my regeneration
small group members
 
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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, God, Christ, Spirit, regeneration, love, calling, purpose, job, career, job loss,

#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #regeneration #love #calling #purpose #job #career

Timeless – v4 #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukraine #Ukraina #war

Quintessential, Timeless, his voice,
His legacy, his keen eye of witness,
courageous, willing to speak against power,
to pay its awful price for Ukraine…

Timeless, an enduring presence,
His words come to life before us,
transcending time and space, language,
encircling the globe, but alive in Ukraine…

Timeless, witness, storyteller, chronicler,
No other voice sufficient, so prescient,
so urgent, so utterly compelling,
Kobzar of his people, Ukraine…

Timeless, watching down upon them
Pride in the heroes, his people joined together,
rising to the challenge of the moment, Ukraine,
resistant, resilient, resolute, United They Will Stand…

----------
Edited October 6, 2025
Timeless – v4

December 3, 2024
Timeless
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/timeless.html
November 26, 2024
what a difference – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/what-difference-v3.html
after poem, “what a difference”,
based on the poem, “In the Fortress, No. 3”,
by Taras Shevchenko
October 16, 2024
It makes no difference to me – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/it-makes-no-difference-to-me-v2_24.html
after poem, “It makes no difference to me”,
based on the poem, “In the Fortress, No. 3”,
by Taras Shevchenko

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 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 #TarasShevchenko

We must stand on the side of #Freedom #Ukraine #Georgia #UnitedStates #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukraina #war

They are in the same existential battle,
marchers in Tbilisi, defenders in Pokrovsk,
different faces of the same fight,
Fighting the same enemy, Russia,
the power of corruption,
Puppets to the Madman,
the monster in the Kremlin…

We must stand on the side of Freedom,
"ჩვენ უნდა დავდგეთ თავისუფლების მხარეს",
"Ми повинні стояти на боці свободи,"
in this moment, in this time of trial,
in the crucible of war and protest…
to defeat the terror of Putin, the Moskals,
the common enemy we all fight…

This is the same challenge, the call to arms,
since the Iron Curtain fell across Europe,
millions of people locked in chains,
as the Kremlin threatened annihilation,
The madness of the MAD doctrine,
cowing the West into appeasement,
bearing the same awful fruit yet…

We must stand on the side of Freedom,
"ჩვენ უნდა დავდგეთ თავისუფლების მხარეს",
"Ми повинні стояти на боці свободи,"
in this moment, in this time of trial,
in the crucible of war and protest…
to defeat the terror of Putin, the Moskals,
the common enemy we all fight…
 
------ 
October 6, 2025
We must stand on the side of Freedom

Edited November 29, 2024
the front will be everywhere – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere-v3.html
Quote: “На фронті будуть всі,
aбо фронт буде всюди”
“Everyone will be at the front,
or the front will be everywhere"
November 12, 2024
the front will be everywhere
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2_27.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
The anguished words of the defenders
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-anguished-words-of-defenders-v2_26.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
Ten years under the gun – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/ten-years-under-gun-v2_26.html
Written and posted October 15, 2024
in this moment of madness
Typed October 18, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness_25.html
Written and posted October 12, 2024
In the crucible of war – 2 – v1
Typed October 17, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-crucible-of-war-2-v1_25.html
 
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 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, Georgia,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #Georgia

The spell has been broken – v5 #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukraine #Ukraina #war

(The prophecy fulfilled)

 
Their time of exile has been completed,
a judgment of God upon the people,
stuck between heaven and hell,
this prophecy fulfilled, completed,
lifting the curse over the people,
the spell has been broken, forsaken,
a light is now coming, rising, brighter,
the glory of Ukraine reawakened,
The Great Grave is being opened…

Fidelity to their nation, their homeland,
sacrificing for their nation, their freedom,
the Kozaks, the Hetman, the Kobzars,
memory of ancient glory, Ukraina,
to the cause of freedom, their songs,
chains of the curse being lifted,
their eyes open, united, together,
one chance for a future, a hope,
a return to their past glory…

High upon a mountain, a hilltop,
a tremor, above the mighty Dnipro,
we see the eternal Kobzar, the vanguard,
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,
together Kobzars, black-haired maidens
all sing songs of their victory, triumph,
for their boundless love of Ukraine…

------
Edited October 6, 2025
The spell has been broken – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-spell-has-been-broken-v5.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 October 6, 2025
High upon on mountain – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v5.html
Edited October 6, 2025
From the heights, he watches – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/from-heights-he-watches-v2.html
Taras Shevchenko, from his grave in Kaniv, Ukraine, above the Dnipro
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, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See 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, serfdom, muse, prison,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

High upon a mountain – v5 #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukraine #Ukraina #war

A stirring in this moment, rising from the grave,
High above the mighty Dnipro, the bard, the Kobzar,
Awakened by their fight, their struggle,
the crucible of war, ancient power,
liberation of these people, freedom,
resolute in this time, this turning,
ready, leaning in on themselves, their unity,
every soul that ever bled for this nation
marshalling their will to honor, to follow,
a challenge He had written, Glory,
buried in the tomb so long ago…

In this time of struggle, a change in the wind,
A stirring in the land, rising, spirits,
against the power of Russia’s onslaught,
no longer just their fight alone, this generation,
others, ancients are joining with them…
Perched high upon this mountain, his hilltop,
A tremor is heard, above the mighty Dnipro,
The Bard awakens, stirs in his tomb, restless,
for His is The Great Grave, where Ukraine’s Glory
was hidden, safeguarded, on the heights…

Not in the grave of Bohdan, of the Hetman,
as they had imagined, no, in the bard, the Kobzar…
The Glory of Ukraine has been opened, awakened,
His great grave is revealed for Ukraine’s power,
treasure that Moskals fought for that was hidden,
is sung from the heights, for history, memory,
their prayers over the defenders, their hope,
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
living suspended lives of sacrifice…
A rumble, a stirring of their spirits,
standing against Moskals once more,
the same evil as before, criminals,
seeking to steal, to destroy, to take,
to subjugate, to brutalize, to assimilate,
to rob Ukraine of its treasure,
her identity, her homeland…
 
The Great Grave has been opened,
Shevchenko, the guardian, the protector,
Glory of every Hero, this fight, their history,
the Cossacks, the Hetman, the Kobzar
rising from their slumber, their fitful rest,
every warrior fallen, their honored dead,
joining with the defenders now in battle,
knowing it is time for justice, for awakening
for the rising of their people, for Ukraine,
to be restored, to finally be free…
 
--------
Edited October 6, 2025

High upon on mountain – v5

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v5.html

expanding on last stanza of after poem, “The spell has been broken – v4”,
based on Shevchenko’s 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 October 6, 2025
From the heights, he watches – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/from-heights-he-watches-v2.html
Edited November 4, 2024
The spell has been broken – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-spell-has-been-broken-v4.html
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 October 3, 2025
A voice against injustice – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-voice-against-injustice-v4.html
Edited October 3, 2025
Sing to me, Taras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/sing-to-me-taras-v3.html
Edited September 30, 2025
Channeling Taras – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/channeling-taras-v6.html
Edited September 29, 2025
I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/i-hear-taras-whisper-to-me-v5.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 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, serfdom, muse, prison, grave,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #grave

From the heights, he watches – v2 #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukraine #Ukraina #war

Not held by his earthly tomb,
given dominion over this land,
allowed to linger with his people,
His beloved Ukraine…

Over the great Dnipro,
flying above all of Ukraine,
From the heights, he watches
his people below…

The Bard, the Kobzar,
the essence of their culture,
The heart of Ukraine
does not truly rest…

Taras is watching, praying,
from the mountain heights,
His prayer for Ukraine is eternal,
though he long left this life…

The soul of the Hetman,
Cossacks, the Kobzars,
The song of his spirit
has never left Ukraine…

--------  
Edited October 6, 2025
From the heights, he watches – v2

Taras Shevchenko, from his grave in Kaniv, Ukraine, above the Dnipro

Dnieper
Edited June 2, 2025
High upon a mountain – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v4.html
expanding on last stanza of after poem, “The spell has been broken – v4”,
based on Shevchenko’s 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 4, 2024
The spell has been broken – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-spell-has-been-broken-v4.html
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”
Edited October 3, 2025
A voice against injustice – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-voice-against-injustice-v4.html
Poems about Ukraine and the book, The Poet of Ukraine,
about the life and poetry of the Bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko,
which I read after Hurricane Helene,
from 9/29/2024 to 10/13/24
Edited October 3, 2025
Sing to me, Taras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/sing-to-me-taras-v3.html
a prayer to Taras Shevchenko
Edited September 30, 2025
Channeling Taras – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/channeling-taras-v6.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
Edited September 29, 2025
I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/i-hear-taras-whisper-to-me-v5.html
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko…
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…
 
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 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, grave,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #grave

From the heights, he watches #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #poetry #Ukraine #Ukraina #war

Over the great Dnipro,

above all of Ukraine,
From the heights, he watches
his people below…
 
The Bard, the Kobzar,
the essence of their culture,
The heart of Ukraine
does not truly rest…

Taras is watching
from the mountain heights,
His prayer for Ukraine is eternal,
though he long left this life…

The soul of the Hetman,
Cossacks, the Kobzars,
The song of his spirit
has never left Ukraine…

------
October 5, 2025
From the heights, he watches
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/from-heights-he-watches.html
Taras Shevchenko, from his grave in Kaniv, Ukraine, above the Dnipro
Edited June 2, 2025
High upon a mountain – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v4.html
expanding on last stanza of after poem, “The spell has been broken – v4”,
based on Shevchenko’s 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 4, 2024
The spell has been broken – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-spell-has-been-broken-v4.html
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”
Edited October 3, 2025
A voice against injustice – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/a-voice-against-injustice-v4.html
Poems about Ukraine and the book, The Poet of Ukraine,
about the life and poetry of the Bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko,
which I read after Hurricane Helene,
from 9/29/2024 to 10/13/24
Edited October 3, 2025
peace in his spirit – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/peace-in-his-spirit-v3.html
after poem, “peace in his spirit”,
based on the poem, “To Marko Vovchok”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
about Maria Markovich,
written 1/24/1859
Edited October 3, 2025
Sing to me, Taras – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/sing-to-me-taras-v3.html
a prayer to Taras Shevchenko
Edited September 30, 2025
Channeling Taras – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/channeling-taras-v6.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
Edited September 29, 2025
I hear Taras’ whisper to me… - v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/i-hear-taras-whisper-to-me-v5.html
about Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko…
Robert Burns, Mikhail Bulgakov, and Nikolai Gogol…
Robert Frost and Mary Oliver…

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 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, grave,

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #grave