#Unity - v2 #poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin

They share one mission,
One common purpose...
Unity defines them,
One spirit together,
One hope in this time...
Unity must define us,
To win this fight,
Good versus evil,
David versus Goliath,
Asymmetric warfare...
 
Their dignity, their existence
To be safe in their borders
To be at peace, together
The right to sovereignty
All of Ukraine is Ukraine...
Invaded, conquered,
Like under the Tsar, subjugated...
But this time they are standing up
On the front lines, in the streets...
 
They are humanity, united,
remembering the fallen
Honoring their heroes,
Remembrance, always
all who have suffered
against Russia’s genocide...
They are standing, united,
Become a resolute people,
They will prevail, together,
When dignity is won...
 
-------
Edited March 21, 2026
Unity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/unity-v2.html
February 24, 2026 (Fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion)
RUSSIA COLLAPSE: PUTIN’S BIGGEST FAILURE Vlog 1330: War in Ukraine
https://youtu.be/xWK3b5zJS-A?si=E0PvX7YzjsF9rmyh
From post by Anna Danylchuk
(Anna from Ukraine)
February 20, 2026
Dignity, existence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/dignity-existence.html
The Heavenly Hundred heroes, the protesters killed during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity
Edited February 19, 2026
You hold each of them so closely – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v3.html
February 19, 2026
Every. Single. Day.
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/every-single-day.html
Instagram post by Olena_Ivanenko_rij
https://www.instagram.com/stories/olena_ivanenko_rij/3835849990073791731/
“Хвилина памʼяті
згадувала братів за якими дуже сумую
кожен день 9:00 честь”
“A moment of remembrance
remembered the brothers I miss so much
every day 9:00 honor.”
Edited February 18, 2026
to remember the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/to-remember-dead-v2.html
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/to-remember-dead-v2.html
“to remember the dead is to appreciate the living”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025 in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
 
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, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, identity, unity, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Pysanky, Vyshyvanka,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka #OlenaIvanenko
 

#spitting a #curse #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews #Word #scripture #identity #bastard

spitting a curse
calling Christ a bastard
calling the light darkness
when the Word was alive
standing before them
in the courts of the Temple
proving the scripture
was revealed in Him...
 
challenging Christ
The exchange became heated
They picked up stones
to kill the Son of God...
Speaking plainly His identity,
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”
Giving no quarter, no refuge,
Their lies, their blasphemy...
 
-----
March 6, 2026
spitting a curse
 
Based on John 8:41b
Based on John 8:58-59
Based on John 8:19-59
Edited/ rewrite/ new name March 6, 2026
In the presence of light
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/in-presence-of-light.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Based on the Book of Job
Based on Exodus 3:14
Based on Matthew 18:1-7
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
March 6, 2026
They chose the darkness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/they-chose-darkness.html
Based on John 1:1-14
Based on John 8:1-59
Based on John 3:5-21
Edited March 5, 2026
Dropping stones, picking up stones – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/dropping-stones-picking-up-stones-v2.html
Based on John 8:1-59
 
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, God, Christ, Spirit, Matthew 18, John 8,  John 1, Book of Job, Messiah, faith, believe, Pharisees, Jews, Word, scripture, identity, bastard,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #Matthew18 #John8 # John1 #John3 #BookofJob #Messiah #faith #believe #Pharisees #Jews #Word #scripture #identity #bastard

the #babble of their #words – v3 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #John8 #Temple #identity #Messiah #babel #babble #livingwater #light #Abraham

Jostling with the crowd to find a place,
on the edge of my seat, yearning, straining,
craning to see everything, listening intently,
sitting as close to the action as I could, urgent...
There were so many people crushed together
sensing strange perfumes of distant lands,
a mixing of languages I had never heard,
hearing every word of the debate,
dripping,  bleeding into my spirit,
hanging on every distraction,
murmuring, arguing, trouble,
who Jesus was truly –
the Prophet, a heretic, the Messiah...
smells of sweat, of foreign foods,
the Temple alive, surging,
from early morning, past sunset,
for days on end...
Suddenly, the chaos was pierced -
Jesus, standing up, crying out,
Offering us all living water,
Declaring his identity, yet patient...
Urging us to believe...
 
I didn’t know what to expect, though I was expectant,
I had seen this Jesus yesterday,
I had heard his Galilean accent,
I saw him outside in the throng throbbing around him
the crush of so many strangers
I sensed there was something special
But I didn’t know it was him...
the one that the Pharisees were seeking,
the one causing trouble, healing,
not following the Law of the Sabbath...
How he had taught in the Temple,
How he had upended the tables...
How I longed to draw nearer,
to gather every morsel they were speaking
A murmur of rebellion, a hope;
but a cadence of objection, a curse of rejection...
I wanted to understand his message about water
But I did not dare to approach, to be seen...
I saw the guards, the Pharisees,
Their backs stiffened, on alert
to see the crowd's reactions,
wondering what would come next...
 
I drew ever closer, I walked with the crowds,
with his disciples, I was called to follow...
I marveled as he wrote their names in the sand
as the elders challenged him,
To condemn the woman
under the Law, their judgment,
but He overturned the tables,
forcing them to face the truth
the judgment upon them, leaving,
their stones in the dust...
I marveled at the silence
as He ministered to this fallen woman,
calling her to Him within her heart...
I hid on the edge, not wanting to be seen,
but He spoke to my heart
when He said, “I Am the Light of the World”,
He was speaking right through me
When He turned toward me and said,
“The Truth Will Set You Free”...
I fell-down in worship, I was overcome...
“Before Abraham was, I Am...”
I was in the presence of God!
 
=============
Edited March 2, 2026
the babble of their words – v3
 
Based on #John7
Based on John 7:53-8:11
Based on #John8
Based on #John2:13-17
John 5:1-18
John 18:18
Genesis 11:7-9
Acts 2:4-11
Men’s Thursday Night Bible Study
North Hills 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, 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, God, Christ, Spirit, John 7, Festival of Tabernacles, Festival of Booths, Pentecost, Babel, babble, Messiah, identity, Temple, confusion, living water, light, Abraham,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #Temple #identity #Messiah #babel #babble #livingwater #light #Abraham

the #babble of their #words - v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #Temple #identity #Messiah #babel #babble #livingwater

Jostling with the crowd to find a place,
on the edge of my seat, yearning, straining,
craning to see everything, listening intently,
sitting as close to the action as I could, urgent...
There were so many people crushed together
sensing strange perfumes of distant lands,
a mixing of languages I had never heard,
hearing every word of the debate,
dripping,  bleeding into my spirit,
hanging on every distraction,
murmuring, arguing, trouble,
who Jesus was truly –
the Prophet, a heretic, the Messiah...
smells of sweat, of foreign foods,
the Temple alive, surging,
from early morning, past sunset,
for days on end...
Suddenly, the chaos was pierced -
Jesus, standing up, crying out,
Offering us all living water,
Declaring his identity, yet patient...
Urging us to believe...
 
I didn’t know what to expect, though I was expectant,
I had seen this Jesus yesterday,
I had heard his Galilean accent,
I saw him outside in the throng throbbing around him
the crush of so many strangers
I sensed there was something special
But I didn’t know it was him...
the one that the Pharisees were seeking,
the one causing trouble, healing,
not following the Law of the Sabbath...
How he had taught in the Temple,
How he had upended the tables...
How I longed to draw nearer,
to gather every morsel they were speaking
A murmur of rebellion, a hope;
but a cadence of objection, a curse of rejection...
I wanted to understand his message about water
But I did not dare to approach, to be seen...
I saw the guards, the Pharisees,
Their backs stiffened, on alert
to see the crowd's reactions,
wondering what would come next...
 
=============
Edited February 27, 2026
the babble of their words – v2
 
Based on #John7
Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles (Booths)
Jesus Teaches at the Festival
Division Over Who Jesus Is
Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders
Based on #John2:13-17
John 5:1-18
John 18:18
Genesis 11:7-9
Acts 2:4-11
Men’s Thursday Night Bible Study
North Hills Church
Edited February 27, 2026
by that same measure – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/by-that-same-measure-v2.html
Edited February 13, 2026
a living testimony – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-living-testimony-v2.html
Men’s Thursday Evening Bible Study
Edited January 24, 2026
Bring Your whip, Lord
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/bring-your-whip-lord.html
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
January 15, 2026
I have seen the Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/i-have-seen-christ.html
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, 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, God, Christ, Spirit, John 7, Festival of Tabernacles, Festival of Booths, Pentecost, Babel, babble, Messiah, identity, Temple, confusion, living water,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #Temple #identity #Messiah #babel #babble #livingwater

the #babble of their #words #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #Temple #identity #Messiah #babel #babble #livingwater

jostling with the crowd to find a place,
on the edge of my seat, yearning,
craning to see everything, listening intently,
sitting as close as I could to the action, urgent,
There were so many people crushed together
sensing strange perfumes of distant lands,
a mixing of languages I had never heard,
hearing every word of the debate,
dripping,  bleeding into my spirit,
hanging on every distraction,
murmuring, arguing, trouble,
who Jesus was truly –
the Prophet, a heretic, the Messiah,
the smells of sweat, of foreign foods,
the Temple alive, surging,
from early morning, past sunset,
for days on end...
Suddenly, the chaos was pierced -
Jesus, standing up, crying out,
Offering us all living water,
Declaring his identity, yet patient...
Urging us to believe...
 
I didn’t know what to expect, though I was expectant,
I had seen this Jesus yesterday,
I had heard his Galilean accent,
I saw him outside in the throng throbbing around him
the crush of so many strangers
I sensed there was something special
But I didn’t know it was he...
the one that the Pharisees were seeking,
the one causing trouble, healing,
not following the Law of the Sabbath...
How he had taught in the Temple,
How he had upended the tables...
How I longed to draw nearer,
to hear every morsel they were speaking
A murmur of rebellion, a hope,
but a cadence of objection, a curse of rejection...
I wanted to understand his message about water
but I did not dare to approach, to be seen...
I saw the guards, the Pharisees,
Their backs stiffened, on alert
to see the crowd's reactions,
wondering what would come next...
 
=============

February 27, 2026

the babble of their words

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-babble-of-their-words.html

Based on #John7

Based on #John2:13-17

John 5:1-18

John 18:18

Genesis 11:7-9

Acts 2:4-11

Men’s Thursday Night Bible Study

North Hills Church

Edited February 27, 2026

by that same measure – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/by-that-same-measure-v2.html

Based on John 7:53-8:11
Edited February 13, 2026
a living testimony – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-living-testimony-v2.html
Based on #John5
Men’s Thursday Evening Bible Study
Edited January 24, 2026
Bring Your whip, Lord
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/bring-your-whip-lord.html
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills Church
January 15, 2026
I have seen the Christ
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/i-have-seen-christ.html
Based on John 1
Men’s Thursday Morning Bible Study
North Hills 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, 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, God, Christ, Spirit, John 7, John 8,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #John7 #John8 
 

to remember the dead – v2 #poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka

To remember the dead
is to appreciate the living...
We hold each other more closely
united in love, as one…
 
We must treasure these moments,
the gathering of so many beloved...
All honor the fallen dead affirm
their closeness with us still…
 
We honor our responsibility to the dead,
to their sacrifice, their presence...
We know they stand still beside us
in the crucible of these days…
 
In gathering, in time set apart,
We remember who they are...
They have a place in our beating hearts,
never to be lost in time…
 
To remember the dead
is to appreciate the living...
We hold each other more closely
united in love, as one…
 
-------
Edited February 18, 2026
to remember the dead – v2
 
“to remember the dead is to appreciate the living”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025 in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited February 17, 2026
The present memory of that day – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v3.html
Memory of February 24, 2022,
the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion,
as described by a defender of Ukraine
on February 25, 2025
February 17, 2026
Justice must come
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/justice-must-come.html
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine,
Endless war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Edited February 17, 2026
Scorched Earth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/scorched-earth-v2.html
Based on #Habakkuk1:5-11
Based on Habakkuk 1:2a
Based on Habakkuk 1:1-11
Sermon by Nate Labadorf
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine, and their destruction
of cities and villages throughout Ukraine.
Edited February 16, 2026
eating like locusts – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/eating-like-locusts-v2.html
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine, and their destruction
of cities and villages throughout Ukraine.
Edited February 14, 2026
touching bleeding flesh – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v3.html
on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
and the thirty-fifth anniversary of my father’s black-ice fatal car accident, February 14, 1991.
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
February 14, 2026
Days turned to Years
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/days-have-turned-to-years.html
On the Fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, February 24, 2026
Edited February 13, 2026
touching bleeding flesh – v2 – defender
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2-written-by.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 13, 2026
The Cost of Dignity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-cost-of-dignity-v2.html
 Ukraine Olympic flagbearer and Skeleton slider, Vladyslav Heraskevych, and helmet of honor
Edited December 28, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/echoes-of-metronome-v3.html
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence
Edited December 23, 2025
no minute of silence – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/no-minute-of-silence-v3.html
based on an Instagram post by Julia Kochetova,
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRH98GHiKSp/
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
June 4, 2025
to remember the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-remember-dead.html
“to remember the dead is to appreciate the living”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025 in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
2,000 participants remembered fallen combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh,
who died May 29, 2024, days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited May 22, 2025
You hold each of them so closely – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v2.html
video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainian women defenders making Ukrainian Easter eggs with a picture of combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh on the table.
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
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
February 25, 2025
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by a defender of Ukraine, in uniform since 2013.
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, 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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Four Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,  Stand With Ukraine, full-scale invasion,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin
 
--------------
poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, identity, unity, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Pysanky, Vyshyvanka,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka

The Cost of #Dignity – v2 #poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh #VladyslavHeraskevych

A higher calling than glory,
standing on his principles,
His decision to stand, to honor,
to lift the fallen, their memory,
their sacrifice, to stand his ground...
 
His resolve, his words became a weapon,
a shield of the warriors in his hand,
a vyshyvanka sewn over his heart
a helmet of memory for the fallen
the war dead, the athletes of Ukraine...
 
He chose his comrades, his people,
the cost of dignity, honor,
“Remembrance is not a violation.”
yet paying the ultimate cost
to stand with the heroes of Ukraine...
 
He is grounded in her black soil,
Dignity is more important
than any Olympic medal,
New awareness of war crimes,
the genocide of Russia in Ukraine...
 
-------
Edited February 13, 2026
The Cost of Dignity – v2
 
 
Ukraine Olympic flagbearer and Skeleton slider, Vladyslav Heraskevych, wore a helmet with the images of fallen Ukrainian athletes. The IOC ruled he could not wear it even in practice. When he refused to comply, the IOC banned him from participating in the Milan Olympics. This set off a firestorm around the world.
“What Vladyslav Heraskevych did wearing this helmet with the images of dead Ukrainian athletes is wholly consistent with the way the entire country of Ukraine honors its war dead every day, through the Moment of Honor at 9am every morning, in kneeling beside the road as a funeral procession passes, through the days of remembrance throughout the calendar, through the large images of the dead in cemeteries, to all the places across the country that have the images of the fallen.
 
The fallen are ever-present with the people of Ukraine. His helmet is the embodiment of how he and the country honor the fallen, all those killed by Russia, by its genocide in Ukraine.”
Edited December 28, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/echoes-of-metronome-v3.html
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence
Edited December 23, 2025
no minute of silence – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/no-minute-of-silence-v3.html
based on an Instagram post by Julia Kochetova,
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRH98GHiKSp/
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
June 4, 2025
to remember the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-remember-dead.html
“to remember the dead is to appreciate the living”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025 in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
2,000 participants remembered fallen combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh,
who died May 29, 2024, days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited May 22, 2025
You hold each of them so closely – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v2.html
a video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainian women defenders making Ukrainian Easter eggs with a picture of combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh on the table.
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
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
Memory of February 24, 2022, as described by a defender of Ukraine 
Edited January 13, 2025
Sacred Days – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/sacred-days-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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, identity, unity, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Moment of Honor, Iryna Tsybukh, Vladyslav Heraskevych,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh #VladyslavHeraskevych

the cost of #dignity #poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh #VladyslavHeraskevych

standing on his principles,
His decision to stand to honor
to lift the fallen, their memory,
their sacrifice, to stand his ground...
 
a shield of the warriors in his hand,
a vyshyvanka sewn over his heart
a helmet of memory for the fallen
the war dead, the athletes of Ukraine...
 
the cost of dignity, honor,
“Remembrance is not a violation.”
yet paying the ultimate cost
to stand with the heroes of Ukraine...
 
Dignity is more important
than any Olympic medal,
New awareness of war crimes,
the genocide of Russia in Ukraine...
 
-------
February 12, 2026
the cost of dignity
 
Ukraine Olympic flagbearer and Skeleton slider, Vladyslav Heraskevych, wore a helmet with the images of fallen Ukrainian athletes. The IOC ruled he could not wear it even in practice. When he refused to comply, the IOC banned him from participating in the Milan Olympics. This set off a firestorm around the world.
“What Vladyslav Heraskevych did wearing this helmet with the images of dead Ukrainian athletes is wholly consistent with the way the entire country of Ukraine honors its war dead every day, through the Moment of Honor at 9am every morning, in kneeling beside the road as a funeral procession passes, through the days of remembrance throughout the calendar, through the large images of the dead in cemeteries, to all the places across the country that have the images of the fallen.
 
The fallen are ever-present with the people of Ukraine. His helmet is the embodiment of how he and the country honor the fallen, all those killed by Russia, by its genocide in Ukraine.”
Edited December 28, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/echoes-of-metronome-v3.html
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence,
and the culture of remembrance, inspired by Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh”
Edited December 23, 2025
no minute of silence – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/no-minute-of-silence-v3.html
based on an Instagram post by Julia Kochetova,
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRH98GHiKSp/
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
June 4, 2025
to remember the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-remember-dead.html
“to remember the dead is to appreciate the living”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025 in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
2,000 participants remembered fallen combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh,
who died May 29, 2024, days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited May 22, 2025
You hold each of them so closely – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v2.html
a video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainian women defenders making Ukrainian Easter eggs with a picture of combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh on the table.
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
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
Memory of February 24, 2022, as described by a defender of Ukraine 
Edited January 13, 2025
Sacred Days – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/sacred-days-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, 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, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, identity, unity, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Moment of Honor, Iryna Tsybukh, Vladyslav Heraskevych,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh #VladyslavHeraskevych

echoes of the metronome – v3 #poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh

Rumbling, a reverberation, pausing,
A cadence of memory, of time, beating,
Sound speaks power into each moment,
Silence speaks light each day - Remember!…
Their world stops for a hushed minute,
sacred reverence, honor…
 
They stand in silence, together,
with those who will not return…
 
Breathing time, its rhythm,
The spirit of their fallen,
Echoes of the metronome -
Crossing time and space…
Wailing through the silence, incessant,
off black top, cars, bodies, living buildings…
 
Announcing their identity as a people,
Sound bleeding into their hearts…
 
Frozen in silent power,
They stop together, united,
These moments, an anthem,
As a nation, as a people, humbly,
in grief, in honor, palpable reverence,
for their fallen, Glory for their Heroes…
 
Speaking their name in handmade signs,
never to forget their sacrifice…

 
-------
Edited December 28, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v3
 
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence,
and the culture of remembrance, inspired by Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh”
Edited December 23, 2025
no minute of silence – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/no-minute-of-silence-v3.html
based on an Instagram post by Julia Kochetova,
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRH98GHiKSp/
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
June 4, 2025
to remember the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-remember-dead.html
“to remember the dead is to appreciate the living”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025 in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh,
who died May 29, 2024, days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited May 22, 2025
You hold each of them so closely – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v2.html
a video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainian women defenders making Ukrainian Easter eggs with a picture of their fallen comrade, combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh on the table. Iryna’s mother, Oksana, led them in the master class, making the eggs.
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
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
Memory of February 24, 2022, as described by a defender of Ukraine 
Edited January 13, 2025
Sacred Days – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/sacred-days-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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, identity, unity, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Moment of Honor, Iryna Tsybukh
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh

echoes of the metronome – v2 #poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh

A cadence of memory, of time, beating,
Sound speaks power into each moment,
Silence speaks light each day - Remember!…
Their world stops for a hushed minute,
sacred reverence, honor…
They stand in silence, together,
with those who will not return…
 
Breathing time, its rhythm,
Echoes of the metronome -
Crossing time and space…
Wailing through the silence, incessant,
off black top, cars, bodies, living buildings…
Announcing their identity as a people,
Sound bleeding into their hearts…
 
Frozen in silent power,
They stop together, united,
As a nation, as a people, humbly,
in grief, in honor, palpable reverence,
for their fallen, Glory for their Heroes…
Speaking their name in handmade signs,
never to forget their sacrifice…

 
-------
Edited December 23, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v2
 
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence,
and the culture of remembrance.
Inspired by Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh”
Edited November 17, 2025
no minute of silence – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/11/no-minute-of-silence-v2.html
based on an Instagram post by Julia Kochetova,
https://www.instagram.com/seameer/
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
June 4, 2025
to remember the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-remember-dead.html
“to remember the dead is to appreciate the living”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025 in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited May 22, 2025
You hold each of them so closely – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v2.html
a video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainian women defenders making Ukrainian Easter eggs with a picture of their fallen comrade, combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh on the table. Iryna’s mother, Oksana, led them in the master class, making the eggs.
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
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
Memory of February 24, 2022, as described by a defender of Ukraine 
Edited January 13, 2025
Sacred Days – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/sacred-days-v3.html
Edited May 24, 2024
A cloak of the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-cloak-of-dead-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 my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, identity, unity, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Moment of Honor, Iryna Tsybukh,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #MomentofHonor #Cheka #IrynaTsybukh