Taras' words
in “Заповіт” (“Testament”)
"Я не знаю Бога."...
His words a confession,
a curse, a rebuke
he spat upon himself...
But it was a lie, an indictment
so undeserved...
for his love for his people
was breathed by God,
His words are like scripture,
a constant lament...
Taras said, "I don't know God",
but he knew God's heart...
God was within him, beside him,
in fetters, in chains,
in the sentence of the Tsar...
In the gift of flight, flying
from his prison over Ukraine...
Taras' plea was answered by God...
He was brought back to Ukraine,
to his eternal reward...
Yes, Taras knew God
in his Ukrainian heart...
--------
August 2, 2026
Taras’ words
Based on Taras Shevchenko’s poem
“Заповіт” (Testament)
written Christmas Day, December 25, 1845
and rock version of the poem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1u5PMjodC8
released July 30, 2026
composed by Grandma’s Smuzi
https://www.youtube.com/@Grandmassmuzi/
Edited June 30, 2026
Taras saw this future – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/taras-saw-this-future-v4.html
Edited December 1, 2025
His prayer was answered – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/his-prayer-was-answered-v3.html
after poem “His prayer was answered”,
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “The Testament”,
Written and posted September 29, 2024
His wish was fulfilled
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/his-wish-was-fulfilled.html
after poem “His wish was fulfilled, based on the poem,
“The Testament, by Taras Shevchenko,
Edited December 1, 2025
lay my body – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/lay-my-body-v4.html
after poem, “lay my body”,
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “The Testament”,
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited October 16, 2025
His Testament – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/his-testament-v2.html
based on the poem, “The Testament, by Taras Shevchenko,
written Christmas Day, 12/25/1845
Based on the comment of a defender on my poem,
“The power of his words – v4”
Reimagined October 14, 2025
each night he flies
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/each-night-he-flies.html
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 on mountain – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v5.html
based on Shevchenko’s poems, “The Great Grave”, “To Marko
Vovchok”,
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...
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
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Live.
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glory, serfdom, muse, prison, grave,
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