We don’t speak with power

We side with evil, complicit,
with our silence, our fears,
we don’t speak with power
to stop the terror, their murder,
speaking boldly, righteously,
against Russia’s terror,
their awful genocide…
 
There is no place for neutrality,
in the face of abject evil,
evil, war crimes committed,
crimes against humanity
each day, awful repeating,
targeting the innocent, children,
seeking to erase all of Ukraine…

 
----------  
April 6, 2025
We don’t speak with power
 
April 5, 2025
Our words are inadequate
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/our-words-are-inadequate.html
A Russian attack on a playground in Kryvyi Rih took the lives of nine children.
Edited January 11, 2025
Too close to the border – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/too-close-to-border-v5.html
Edited August 27, 2024
Streets of Kharkiv run red with blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-kharkiv-run-red-with-blood-v2.html
after the attacks on Kyiv as well
Edited August 20, 2024
Paralyzed by red-lines – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/paralyzed-by-red-lines-v2.html
About US policy limiting the use of US provided weapons
inside Russia by Ukraine’s military.
Edited August 19, 2024
The dead cry out – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dead-cry-out-v2.html
Edited August 19, 2024
Neutrality is a myth, a lie
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/neutrality-is-myth-lie.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, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, God, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #Kharkiv #Kyiv #KryvyiRih #Odesa #Kherson #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war

Our words are inadequate Kryvyi Rih #murder #massacre #Russia #KryvyiRih #Ukraine

As if we are living in a coma,
separated from present reality,
the truth our eyes see, wanton terror,
words of clarity that spring to mind,
getting caught unspoken in our teeth…
 
Our words are inadequate, vapid,
to meet the urgency of the moment,
weasel words, flaccid words, unspoken,
wicked of their meaning, their power,
their ability to change history…
 
Unable to name evil, Russia,
to speak aloud their true nature,
saying they Kill the innocent, when
the word Murder would be far better,
purposeful, premeditated genocide…
 
Nothing innocent, indiscriminate,
a double-tap attack on first responders,
a nation of evil dead souls, vermin,
Orcs risen from the pit, the earth, darkly,
vomited from the bowels of hell…
 
We must speak ugly truth, all of it,
to defeat the power we give them,
to take back our humanity, morality,
to redeem these ancient people,
seeking to merely survive, to exist…
 
Our words are inadequate because
we are fearful, we lack courage, conviction,
we shrink from urgency, this moment,
we call lies merely falsehoods,
saying both sides sin in war…
 
By staying silent, timid, neutral,
we assist Cain in murdering Abel,
the black soil of that land crying out,
blood of nine beautiful innocent children,
murdered playing in their playground… 

 
----------  
April 5, 2025
Our words are inadequate
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/our-words-are-inadequate.html
A Russian attack on a playground in Kryvyi Rih took the lives of nine children.
Edited January 11, 2025
Too close to the border – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/too-close-to-border-v5.html
Edited August 27, 2024
Streets of Kharkiv run red with blood – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/streets-of-kharkiv-run-red-with-blood-v2.html
after the attacks on Kyiv as well
Edited August 20, 2024
Paralyzed by red-lines – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/paralyzed-by-red-lines-v2.html
About US policy limiting the use of US provided weapons
inside Russia by Ukraine’s military.
Edited August 19, 2024
The dead cry out – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dead-cry-out-v2.html
Edited August 19, 2024
Neutrality is a myth, a lie
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/neutrality-is-myth-lie.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, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Ukraine, God, war, terror, genocide, Russia, murder, premediated, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Kherson,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #Kharkiv #Kyiv #KryvyiRih #Odesa #Kherson #Russia #murder #genocide #terror #premeditated #war

You hold each of them so closely #Cheka

I see your deep love for one another,
for each one of your fallen, your comrades,
they are alive in you, so real, so precious,
a part of each one of you, present with you,
gathering your honored dead to you, lovingly,
ever present, today, now, alive, as close as breath…
 
They are part of you, your fabric, your identity,
part of you in each moment, in every breath,
alive with you now in the present, your fallen
as threads woven in a vyshyvanka, your culture,
hand to heart, to linen, washed in precious blood,
in their sacrifice for their homeland, your country…
 
I see how you honor them, in each moment,
In time standing still, in remembrance, each day,
in a continuous procession, rituals of memory,
sacred days woven into your collective lives, together,
how you hold them to you, to your hearts, forever,
ever present, today, now, alive, as close as breath…
 
You hold each of them closely, forever, present,
you do not forget your fallen, your comrades,
holding each one of them as close as breath,
their legacy of love, of sacrifice, a bond sustaining,
your honored dead with you, present, living, alive,
in their sacrifice for their homeland, for your country…

 
-------
Edited April 4, 2025
You hold each of them so closely
 
March 24, 2025 posts on X:
“The acts of Ukrainians, like kneeling as a funeral procession passes for fallen defenders or the Moment of Honor every morning at 9:00am, or the photographs on gravestones of those lost in this war, all show how love is part of the Ukrainian culture.  
 
Today, I saw a video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainians women defenders making Ukrainians 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.
 
All of these are proof Ukraine never was Russia. Their cultures are entirely different. 
 
I commented, “Humanity could learn a lot from Ukraine and Ukrainians on how you keep all of your countrymen and women present today even when they have been lost in this war. It isn't just memory, it is presence, real and current. It is awe inspiring, truly.”
 
As one defender has said, "I hope most countries could adopt the culture of love..." “
&
Watch the heartwarming video by Arm Women Now, if you are able... It gives wind to our spirits, if you know Cheka's story. Khrystyna Boychuk is there, who spoke of Cheka at the World Economic Forum at Davos. The time was led by Cheka's mother Oksana... so special, so life-affirming...in the face of war.
&
As their text says,
"Yesterday, we were all united again by Irynka "Cheka". In her memory, in her spirit, in what was important to her ❤️‍🩹
 
Irynka's mother, Mrs. Oksana, @tsibukhoksana gathered her sisters for a master class in Easter egg making. Because Easter egg making is continuity. It is a connection of generations that comes to life in the warmth of palms, in the thin lines of patterns, in the light that never fades.
 
It is a skill that came to her family from her grandmother, preserved over the years, to now become part of memory. A part of the great history that Irynka cherished, and which we now cherish.
 
About a year ago, before Easter, they painted Easter eggs together in Verkhovyna. Then it was a master class for the wives of the fallen. At that time, no one knew that it would be Irynka's last.
 
But she always said that important things do not disappear if there is someone to protect them. Therefore, this tradition will live on, will continue - in every new drawing, in every stroke, in every touch of warm hands.
 
Irynka left us not only memory. She left us light. And as long as we pass it on, it will not fade away! 🙏🏼"
&
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
"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 "
&
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 defender of Ukraine 
&
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
Edited January 13, 2025
Sacred Days – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/01/sacred-days-v3.html
Edited December 8, 2024
Stealing his identity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/stealing-his-identity-v2.html
Edited December 2, 2024
Stealing History – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/stealing-history-v2.html
Edited November 29, 2024
Designs of their culture – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/designs-of-their-culture-v3.html
Edited September 6, 2024
Flying from every flagpole – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole-v2.html
Edited May 24, 2024
A cloak of the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-cloak-of-dead-v2.html
In this poem I am trying to convey that the dead of Ukraine,
your heroes, are cloaking every #warrior, as if with a new
Vyshyvanka, against your skin, under the armor, the
white fabric's embroidery have been woven with threads
of the blood of the fallen, protecting each of you.
They are your shield, your invisible armor.
I tried to write the poem in the shape of a
Ukrainian Easter Egg, a Pysanky.
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
--------------
poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, 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 #Pysanky #Vyshyvanka
 

sisters in arms – v3 #Ukraine #StandWithUkraine

the metal of their words
their lives, their choices,
sacrificing their dreams,
fidelity to their country,
standing in the breach,
their lives for their people,
but never losing themselves...
 
sisters in arms, together,
warriors in the battle, united,
standing beside brothers in arms,
joined together, one people,
to defeat this evil, this terror,
fighting valiantly, courageously,
for their nation to survive...
 
never losing their womanhood,
femininity, their beauty, power,
but choosing to sacrifice, giving,
living for their country, their people,
sure in their purpose, their call,
to stand vigilant, on point,
the tip of the spear...
 
-------
Edited April 4, 2025
sisters in arms – v3
 
written after reading post by defender of Ukraine
about serving as a woman in the army,
for International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
--------------
poetry, love, girlfriend, fiancée, wife, love poem, International Women’s Day, Arm Women Now, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace,
 
#poetry #ArmWomenNow #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #InternationalWomensDay

Preserve my life

Preserve my life,
give me life,
out of Your divine nature,
save me from death,
out of Your great love…
 
Reach down from heaven,
put your arms around me,
oh, God of my salvation,
save me from their attacks,
vanquish my foes, my enemies…
 
----- 
April 3, 2025
Preserve my life
 
Based on #Psalm119:88
Based on Psalm 119:81-88
The letter “Kaph”.
Men’s Thursday night bible study
North Hills Church
April 3, 2025
Standing on the wall of Your city
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/standing-on-wall-of-your-city.html
Based on Psalm119:82
Edited March 22, 2025
In ashes, in sackcloth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-ashes-in-sackcloth-v2.html
Based on Psalm119:25
Based on Psalm 119:25-32
Saturday morning men's group
Edited March 14, 2025
At the rise of the Third Watch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/at-rise-of-third-watch-v2.html
Based on Psalm119:61-62
Edited March 14, 2025
in my distress, in adversity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-my-distress-in-adversity-v2.html
Based on Psalm119:61-62
Based on Psalm 119:57-64
The letter “Heth”.
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Spirit, love, grace, Psalm 119, prayer,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

Standing on the wall of Your city

Standing on the wall of Your city
straining to see God coming
staring into the darkness
yearning for the Lord…
 
I stand in the watchtower,
I wait in the darkness,
I long to see You, Lord,
though I do not see Your face…
 
When will You comfort me,
when will You answer my cries,
I am tired, hurting, Lord,
how I long for Your salvation…
 
----- 
April 3, 2025
Standing on the wall of Your city
 
Based on #Psalm119:82
Based on Psalm 119:81-88
The letter “Kaph”.
Men’s Thursday night bible study
North Hills Church
Edited March 22, 2025
In ashes, in sackcloth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-ashes-in-sackcloth-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:25
Based on Psalm 119:25-32
Saturday morning men's group
Edited March 14, 2025
At the rise of the Third Watch – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/at-rise-of-third-watch-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Edited March 14, 2025
in my distress, in adversity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-my-distress-in-adversity-v2.html
Based on #Psalm119:61-62
Based on Psalm 119:57-64
The letter “Heth”.
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, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
==================
Poetry, God, Spirit, love, grace, Psalm 119,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #prayer

Equipoise – v2

Ukraine needs momentum, progress,
recommitment of their allies, together,
a groundswell, a breaking of inertia,
something to overwhelm attrition,
the slow grinding of the earth, danger,
needing a breaking of the enemy, sanctions,
a chink in their armor, more evident,
to see their hope fully justified,
a way to victory, to peace…
 
Equipoise, waiting, stuck by delay,
lies of the enemy, playing allies, evil,
seeking to distract from their terror,
the genocide they are committing,
to freeze the hands of these people,
fighting to defend, to survive, allies
bowing to demands of tyrants,
no longer pawns, proxies, victims,
but conquering heroes in this fight…
 
----------
Edited April 4, 2025
Equipoise – v2
 
Edited December 23, 2024
Ukraine must win – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/ukraine-must-win-v5.html
February 28, 2025
Gathering a War Council
Photograph of President Zelenskyy with leaders of Nordic
and Baltic nations on February 24, 2025 in Kyiv
on the 3^rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a 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
"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 "
&
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 defender of Ukraine 
&
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-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, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, Slava Ukraini, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Let Ukraine Win, Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, terror, genocide,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #LetUkraineWin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine

Equipoise

Ukraine needs momentum,
recommitment of their allies,
a groundswell, a breaking of inertia,
something to overwhelm attrition,
the slow grinding of the earth,
to see a break in the enemy, sanctions,
a chink in their armor, more evident,
to see their hope fully justified,
to see a way to victory, to peace…
 
Equipoise, waiting, stuck by delay,
lies of the enemy, playing allies, evil,
seeking to distract from their terror,
the genocide they are committing,
to freeze the hands of these people,
fighting to defend, to survive,
bowing to demands of evil, tyrants,
no longer pawns, proxies, victims,
but conquering heroes in this fight…
 
----------
April 2, 2025
Equipoise
 
Edited December 23, 2024
Ukraine must win – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/ukraine-must-win-v5.html
February 28, 2025
Gathering a War Council
Photograph of President Zelenskyy with leaders of Nordic
and Baltic nations on February 24, 2025 in Kyiv
on the 3^rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a 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
"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 "
&
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 defender of Ukraine 
&
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
&
Edited September 4, 2024
Ukraine must win – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/ukraine-must-win-v4.html
April 2, 2024
My response: "Ukraine winning this war, defeating
the imperial terror is Russia" is a key precondition to
lasting sustainable peace in Europe”
April 2, 2024 Twitter post by
Olena Halushka
https://twitter.com/OlenaHalushka/status/1775211466347643036
“Russia losing this war is a key precondition to
lasting sustainable peace in Europe”
&
Edited March 31, 2024
The blood of the dead of Bucha – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-v4.html
&
March 19, 2024
Statement by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/3710899/opening-remarks-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-at-the-20th-ukraine/
at Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Germany
“The United States will not let Ukraine fail.
This coalition will not let Ukraine fail, and
the free world will not let Ukraine fail,”
Neither the word “win” nor the word “victory”
Is included in Austin’s opening remarks…
 
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, country, people, Slava Ukraini, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Let Ukraine Win, Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, terror, genocide,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #LetUkraineWin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine

Shaking off the chains of the oppressor – v3

We see them yearning to breathe free, finally, again,
to walk, to live in their freedom, in peace,
shaking off the chains of the oppressor,
their neighbor, the bully, the hegemon,
taking up arms to defend, to survive,
a groundswell of protest, defiance,
a wave sweeping the nations, alive,
those who have lived under the boot,
of corruption, of their oppression, terror,
marching, shouting, fighting to be free,
to breathe the fresh air of freedom, liberty…
 
We must stand with all of them, in this moment,
all who have lived under the chains, the yoke,
the shackles of the aggressor, the one enemy,
denying each of them freedom, independence,
each of these people, these many nations, striving,
striving to free all of their people imprisoned,
we must support them as we are able, today,
so that they will walk in freedom, unburdened,
free to be as they each wish to be as people,
truly independent nations at peace…
 
----------------
Edited April 2, 2025
Shaking off the chains of the oppressor – v3
 
War in Ukraine,
Elections in Moldova,
Protest in Georgia, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey,
Freedom Day in Belarus
March 25, 2025
All of Europe
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/all-of-europe.html
March 25, 2025
Belarus must be free
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/belarus-must-be-free.html
Edited March 25, 2025
We must stand with Georgia
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/we-must-stand-with-georgia.html
Edited December 27, 2024
Russia must be defeated – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/russia-must-be-defeated-v2.html
Edited December 24, 2024
There is only one Enemy, Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/there-is-one-enemy-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, 202 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, freedom, prayer, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, EU, NATO, Balkan Spring, Stand With Ukraine,
 
#poetry #freedom #prayer #Georgia #Ukraine #Belarus #Moldova #Turkey #Hungary #Romania #Slovakia #Serbia #EU #NATO #BalkanSpring #StandWithUkraine

Shaking off the chains of the oppressor – v2 #Europe #Moldova #Ukraine #Georgia #Serbia #Slovakia #Romania

Yearning to breathe free, finally, again,
to walk, to live in their freedom, in peace,
shaking off the chains of the oppressor
a wave sweeping the nations, alive,
a groundswell of protest, defiance,
taking up arms to defend, to survive,
those who have lived under the boot,
of corruption, of their oppression,
marching, shouting, fighting to be free,
to breathe the fresh air of freedom…
 
We must stand with them, in this moment,
each people, these many nations, striving,
all who have lived under the chains, the yoke,
the shackles of the aggressor, the one enemy,
denying each of them freedom, independence,
striving to keep all of these people imprisoned,
we must support them as we are able, today,
so they will walk in freedom, unburdened,
free to be as they each wish to be,
truly independent nations…
 
----------------
Edited March 29, 2025
Shaking off the chains of the oppressor – v2
 
March 25, 2025
All of Europe
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/all-of-europe.html
War in Ukraine,
Elections in Moldova,
Protest in Georgia, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey,
Freedom Day in Belarus
March 25, 2025
Belarus must be free
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/belarus-must-be-free.html
Edited March 25, 2025
We must stand with Georgia
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/we-must-stand-with-georgia.html
Edited December 27, 2024
Russia must be defeated – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/russia-must-be-defeated-v2.html
Edited December 24, 2024
There is only one Enemy, Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/there-is-one-enemy-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, 202 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, freedom, prayer, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, EU, NATO, Balkan Spring, Stand With Ukraine,
 
#poetry #freedom #prayer #Georgia #Ukraine #Belarus #Moldova #Turkey #Hungary #Romania #Slovakia #Serbia #EU #NATO #BalkanSpring #StandWithUkraine

We have chosen the path of evil – v2

We have chosen the easy way,
the path of evil, of power, ruthless,
choosing poorly in this moment, awful,
siding with the aggressor, the bully,
seeking to divide, to conquer, to own,
seeking greater control, conquest,
eating the heart of the victims, their spirits,
a ravenous monster, a Satan, evil,
bent on expansion, on subjugation,
leaving the rule of law in the dust…
 
We must wake up, we must fight,
we must speak out against this evil,
a choice to side with the murderer Cain,
seeking to kill his brother, righteous,
innocent blood crying out from the soil,
for justice, for the right to live, to survive,
that evil would be vanquished, today,
oh, I pray that we would wake up,
that we would choose differently,
that we would support our ally today…
 
===================
Edited March 28, 2025
We have chosen the path of evil – v2
 
Edited March 28, 2025
Compromised – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/compromised-v2.html
Edited March 28, 2025
Under the spell of Woland – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/under-spell-of-woland-v3.html
See the novel, The Master and Margarita, by Bulgakov
and the play, “Faust”, by Goethe
Edited March 26, 2025
We have become what we abhor – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/we-have-become-what-we-abhor-v3.html
Edited March 6, 2025
There is no neutrality in genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/03/there-is-no-neutrality-in-genocide-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, 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, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #terror #America #genocide #StandWithUkraine