each night he flies – v3 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #grave #Kobzar

Taras does not rest in his grave,
each night, Shevchenko stirs,
he rises, on the heights, the hill,
high above the Dnipro, the mighty river…
The Kobzar, the Bard, a living spirit,
watching from the heights,
from his open tomb…
 
Out into the night air,
over the great Dnipro,
he soars above the nation
flying above all of Ukraine,
his beloved homeland, his spirit…
From the heights, he watches
His kinsmen, his people below…
 
He is not held by his earthly tomb,
just as the Siberian fortress
could not hold him...
He rises from the heights,
given dominion over this land…
Allowed to linger with his people,
His beloved Ukraine…
 
The Bard, the Kobzar,
the soul, their conscience,
the Great Grave of their ancient glory,
their exemplar, their Father,
the essence of their culture…
His heart for Ukraine
does not truly rest…
 
Taras is watching, praying,
from the mountain heights,
flying over his Ukraina...
He rises from his slumber,
to guard his homeland, his people…
His prayer for Ukraine is eternal,
though he long left this life…
 
The soul of the Hetman,
The Bard, their poet -
Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko -
The embodiment of the
Cossacks, the Kobzars…
The song of his spirit
has never left Ukraine…
 
--------  
Edited September 19, 2026
Each night he flies – v3
 
Taras Shevchenko, from his grave in Kaniv, Ukraine, above the Dnipro
Edited October 6, 2025
From the heights, he watches – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/from-heights-he-watches-v2.html
Edited October 6, 2025
High upon a mountain – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v5.html
Edited October 6, 2025
The spell has been broken – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-spell-has-been-broken-v5.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 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, 2025, and 2026. 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, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, history, glory, serfdom, muse, prison, grave, Kobzar
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #grave #Kobzar

#Treasure in its #simplicity – v4 #poetry #photography #Ukraine #leaf #Autumn #winter #EricaKabeava #TarasShevchenko #beauty #God #prayer #English #Ukrainian #Поезія #фотографія #Україна #листок #осінь #зима #ЕрікаКабеава #ТарасШевченко #краса #Бог #молитва #англійська #українська #мова

Revealing its true face,
A treasure in its simplicity,
the golden hue in her palms,
the ordinary passage of the seasons,
simple moments of reflection,
paying no heed to the chaos around,
war, the ceaseless storm…
 
A single leaf, picked from the field,
held, cradled in worn, weary palms,
a treasure in its simplicity, its purity,
a beautiful messenger, a whisper,
a harbinger of autumn, a prayer,
a premonition of winter’s approach,
the cold that will soon arrive…
 
Like wheat, sunflowers,
the colors of this nation,
held so freely, so tenderly,
ordinariness in simplicity,
the color yellow beneath the autumn-blue sky,
a symbol of Ukraine,
of their nation that yearns for peace…
 
----------------
Edited September 18, 2026
Treasure in its simplicity – v4
 
Translated back into English
Edited September 18, 2026
Скарб у своїй простоті – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/v3.html
Translating version 2 into Ukrainian
Edited October 25, 2025
Treasure in its simplicity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/treasure-in-its-simplicity-v2.html
October 22, 2025
Treasure in its simplicity
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/treasure-in-its-simplicity.html
Photograph posted October 21, 2025
By Erica Kabeava (https://www.instagram.com/ericakabaeva/ )
Edited October 23, 2025
Ukraina – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/ukraina-v3.html
Edited October 30, 2024
Had she known – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/had-she-known-v2.html
after poem, “Had she known”,
based on the poem, “The Poplar”,
about a maiden’s Kozak lover
by Taras Shevchenko
Written and posted October 2, 2024
after “Perebendya”
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/after-perebendya_23.html
after poem, “after “Perebendya””,
based on the poem, “Perebendya”,
the last of the Kobzars
by Taras Shevchenko
Written and posted October 2, 2024
Do the Kobzars sing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/do-kobzars-sing_23.html
after poem, “the suffering of Ukraine”,
based on the Dedication to “The Kobzar”,
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited October 30, 2024
Sing to me, Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/sing-to-me-taras-v2.html
a prayer to Taras Shevchenko
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
Channeling Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/channeling-taras-v2_26.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
 
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, 2025, and 2026. 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 #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history
 
Poetry, photography, Ukraine, leaf, Autumn, Winter, Erica Kabeava, Taras Shevchenko, beauty, God, prayer, English, Ukrainian, language
 
#poetry #photography #Ukraine #leaf #Autumn #winter #EricaKabeava #TarasShevchenko #beauty #God #prayer #English #Ukrainian #Поезія #фотографія #Україна #листок #осінь #зима #ЕрікаКабеава #ТарасШевченко #краса #Бог #молитва #англійська #українська #мова

Скарб у своїй простоті – v3 #poetry #photography #Ukraine #leaf #Autumn #winter #EricaKabeava #TarasShevchenko #beauty #God #prayer #English #Ukrainian #language #Поезія #фотографія #Україна #листок #осінь #зима #ЕрікаКабеава #ТарасШевченко #краса #Бог #молитва #англійська #українська #мова

Відкриваючи своє справжнє обличчя,
Скарб у своїй простоті,
золотий колір у її долонях,
звичайність зміни пір року,
прості миті роздумів,
не звертаючи уваги на хаос навколо,
війну, безперервну бурю…
 
Один листок, підібраний з поля,
тримається, укладений у зношені, втомлені долоні,
скарб у своїй простоті, чистоті,
прекрасний посланець, шепіт,
вісник осені, молитва,
передчуття наближення зими,
холоду, що незабаром настане…
 
Як пшениця, соняшники,
кольори цієї нації,
тримані так вільно, ніжно,
звичайність у простоті,
жовтий колір під осінньо-лазуровим небом,
символ України,
їхньої нації, що прагне миру…
 
----------------
Edited September 18, 2026
Скарб у своїй простоті – v3
 
Translating version 2 into Ukrainian
Edited October 25, 2025
Treasure in its simplicity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/treasure-in-its-simplicity-v2.html
October 22, 2025
Treasure in its simplicity
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/treasure-in-its-simplicity.html
Photograph posted October 21, 2025
By Erica Kabeava (https://www.instagram.com/ericakabaeva/ )
Edited October 23, 2025
Ukraina – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/ukraina-v3.html
Edited October 30, 2024
Had she known – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/had-she-known-v2.html
after poem, “Had she known”,
based on the poem, “The Poplar”,
about a maiden’s Kozak lover
by Taras Shevchenko
Written and posted October 2, 2024
after “Perebendya”
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/after-perebendya_23.html
after poem, “after “Perebendya””,
based on the poem, “Perebendya”,
the last of the Kobzars
by Taras Shevchenko
Written and posted October 2, 2024
Do the Kobzars sing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/do-kobzars-sing_23.html
after poem, “the suffering of Ukraine”,
based on the Dedication to “The Kobzar”,
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited October 30, 2024
Sing to me, Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/sing-to-me-taras-v2.html
a prayer to Taras Shevchenko
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
Channeling Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/channeling-taras-v2_26.html
About Taras Shevchenko speaking to my spirit,
through his life and poetry
 
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, 2025, and 2026. 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 #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history
 
Poetry, photography, Ukraine, leaf, Autumn, Winter, Erica Kabeava, Taras Shevchenko, beauty, God, prayer, English, Ukrainian, language,
 
#poetry #photography #Ukraine #leaf #Autumn #winter #EricaKabeava #TarasShevchenko #beauty #God #prayer #English #Ukrainian #Англійська #Українська #мова
 
#Поезія #фотографія #Україна #листок #осінь #зима #ЕрікаКабеава #ТарасШевченко #краса #Бог #молитва #англійська #українська #мова

#Alex, #Brave and #Mighty – v2 #poetry #love #lovestory #child #son #husband #wife #father #mother #Georgia #Ukraine #tragedy #hero #war #courage #sacrifice #freedom #independence #peace #Leshkasheli #Veklich

A tale of two heroes
who answered freedom’s call...
Their son is his bloodline’s legacy -
Alex, brave and mighty,
born of sacred heritage,
born of noble stock...
 
From different worlds and countries
they came to this war, this terror,
but they fought on the same battlefields...
Choosing to stand, to defend, to fight
against the enemy of freedom,
their countries’ right to choose...
 
Love grew on the frontlines,
consecrated before heaven...
A child of freedom’s finest -
Alex, brave and mighty,
carrying their legacy of valor,
born of warriors’ blood...
 
May he grow in peace -
A just peace once and for all...
 
---------------
Edited September 16, 2026
Alex, Brave and Mighty – v2
 
Edited September 15, 2026
Written July 3, 2026, about his 1- month birthday
Alex, Brave and Mighty
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/alex-brave-and-mighty.html
Alexander Veklich,
born June 2, 2026
son of Volodymyr Veklich, from Ukraine,
and Keti Leshkasheli, from Georgia
https://www.facebook.com/keti.leshkasheli.2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-3Zvoe6r1E
https://mezha.net/eng/news/georgian-medic-and-fallen-ukrainian-defender-s-love-story-inspires-hope/
 
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, 2025, and 2026. 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, love, love story, child, son, husband, wife, Georgia, Ukraine, tragedy, hero, war, courage, sacrifice, freedom, independence, peace
 
#poetry #love #lovestory #child #son #husband #wife #father #mother #Georgia #Ukraine #tragedy #hero #war #courage #sacrifice #freedom #independence #peace #Leshkasheli #Veklich

#Alex, #Brave and #Mighty #poetry #love #lovestory #child #son #husband #wife #father #mother #Georgia #Ukraine #tragedy #hero #war #courage #sacrifice #freedom #independence #peace

A tale of two heroes
who answered freedom’s call...
Alex, brave and mighty,
born of noble stock...
 
From different worlds and countries,
but fighting on the same battlefields...
Standing against the enemy of freedom,
their countries’ right to choose...
 
Love on the frontlines,
consecrated before heaven...
Alex, brave and mighty,
born of noble stock...
 
May he grow in peace -
A just peace once and for all...
 
---------------
Edited September 15, 2026
Written July 3, 2026, about his 1- month birthday
Alex, Brave and Mighty
 
Alexander Veklich,
son of Volodymyr Veklich, from Ukraine,
and Keti Leshkasheli, from Georgia
born June 2, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-3Zvoe6r1E
https://mezha.net/eng/news/georgian-medic-and-fallen-ukrainian-defender-s-love-story-inspires-hope/
 
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, 2025, and 2026. 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, love, love story, child, son, husband, wife, Georgia, Ukraine, tragedy, hero, war, courage, sacrifice, freedom, independence, peace
 
#poetry #love #lovestory #child #son #husband #wife #father #mother #Georgia #Ukraine #tragedy #hero #war #courage #sacrifice #freedom #independence #peace