by a #thread #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #Russia #peace #victory #Ukraine #hybridwar #NATO #hybridwar #miscalculation #provocation

pushing boundaries
tension present, rising...
provocation, escalation –
a toe stepping over a line –
a Sword of Damocles hanging
by a fiber-optic hair, a thread,
world war in the balance,
testing will, the resolve,
but testing self-control also
fingers near the button,
seeking to woo conflict
the other side first,
holding the lid on Pandora’s Box,
Staring into the abyss...
 
miscalculation is the greatest risk,
just above indifference,
who will blink first...
who will make a mistake...
a threat, real-but-fluid,
a front with many vectors,
across many borders,
many lines of contact,
different alert levels,
testing red lines, responses,
How quickly they will react...
Hybrid war is war
even if we deny it...
Bringing us close to the brink...
 
--------
September 21, 2026
by  a thread
 
Momocracy post
September 15, 2026
Russia Tests NATO: Warship Confronts Denmark as NATO Shoots Down Drone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCbBx8U5YAM
Momocracy post
July 27, 2026
Is World War III Already Beginning?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHgN3-3vp3Q
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html
Edited June 8, 2025
asymmetric warfare – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/asymmetric-warfare-v2.html
Edited February 23, 2025
Europe must act – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/europe-must-act-v4.html
April 2, 2025
Equipoise
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/equipoise.html
December 27, 2024
Hybrid War
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/hybrid-war.html
Edited December 23, 2024
Ukraine must win – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/ukraine-must-win-v5.html
December 27, 2024
Russia must be defeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/.../russia-must-be...
Edited December 24, 2024
There is only one Enemy, Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/there-is-one-enemy-russia-v3.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
Written and posted October 12, 2024
In the crucible of war – 2 – v1
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-crucible-of-war-2-v1_25.html
Edited April 29, 2024
No more half-measures - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/04/no-more-half-measures-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, 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, Russia, peace, victory, hybrid war, NATO, miscalculation, provocation
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #Russia #peace #victory #Ukraine #hybridwar #NATO #hybridwar #miscalculation #provocation

They will rise #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #freedom #independence #Ukraine #Georgia #Moldova #Syria #Chechnya #Romania #Poland #Serbia #UnitedStates @NATO #SlavaUkraini #HeroyamSlava

They will rise...
Ukraine will rise
from the rubble
the anger of Moscow
from the terror
from the struggle,
Yes, they will rise...
 
As one people
united together
united as one
in this time
of struggle, of terror,
as one people united...
They will rise...
Yes, Ukraine will rise...
 
--------
September 20, 2026
They will rise
 
after seeing the draft cover of Volume 1
of Twelve Years of War
Edited September 19, 2026
Each night he flies – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/each-night-he-flies-v3.html
Taras Shevchenko, from his grave in Kaniv, Ukraine, above the Dnipro
December 27, 2024
Russia must be defeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/.../russia-must-be...
December 27, 2024
Hybrid War
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/hybrid-war.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
Edited December 4, 2024
There is but one fight – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/there-is-but-one-fight-v2.html
Edited December 3, 2024
They fight the very same Evil – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/they-fight-very-same-evil-v2.html
November 24, 2024
So incredibly sad that Ukraine is fighting the same terror and genocide today, that caused the Holodomor, the same Evil of Russia, and the world believes Russia can ever be negotiated with... Russia must be defeated.
Edited November 11, 2024
Attrition – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/attrition-v3.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
A death sentence – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-death-sentence-2-v2_26.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, 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, freedom, independence, history, glory, Moldova, Georgia, Syria, Chechnya, Romania,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #freedom #independence #Ukraine #Georgia #Moldova #Syria #Chechnya #Romania #Poland #Serbia #UnitedStates @NATO #SlavaUkraini #HeroyamSlava

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

#болить, it hurts – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Poltava #Kharkiv #Kyiv #Lviv #DayofRemembrance #Ilovaisk

“болить”, “it hurts”, a comment, an emoji,
confessing so much without words
for every comrade taken from them
in this awful war, each memory
of valor lost to chaos, to murder,
to the whims of the madman
to the terror of the invasion,
the war on their sovereign land...
 
far too many to number,
but each known by their name
by loved ones, by those whom they fought beside,
those they struggled with them to regain,
to restore their country’s freedom...
so many lost, fallen in battle
in the crucible of those early months
when things were moving so quickly...
 
“болить”, “it hurts”, speaking volumes...
Layered with emotion, with feelings,
writing the stories, the valor, behind each name
of those they each remember,
carved in honor, in eternal memory
two who were lost freeing Kharkiv -
two named comrades, on this date -
Four years ago....
 
-----------
Edited September 11, 2026
Болить, it hurts – v2
 
Instagram post by Khrystyna Boychuk, defender of Ukraine
https://www.instagram.com/stories/kydrava_/3980994217881514328/
two comrades lost in the Kharkiv counteroffensive September 7, 2022
Edited June 19, 2026
Their best sons and daughters – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/their-best-sons-and-daughters-v5.html
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/
September 17, 2024
Their best sons and daughters
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters.html
August 23, 2024
Facebook post by Christina Kydrava:
https://www.facebook.com/kydrava1/posts/pfbid0cJ8NH19VAM1SsZKv1ythBzY3tnrNkFBHyqPTWmyRFF2BBdKPa3SskaE5Rd76fqbFl
April 18, 2023 Twitter post by @Ferlain
https://x.com/ferlain/status/1648256092634226688
quotes from Christina Kydrava, at the time of her 30^th birthday…
“I am not afraid of my death. I accept it. But I am afraid to lose the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. No one wants to pass this war to our descendants… I am living a postponed life now. If we don’t work as hard as it is only possible now there won’t be a second chance.”
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
Edited September 1, 2024
Too close to the border – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/too-close-to-border-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, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Day of Remembrance, Ilovaisk, Poltava, Let Ukraine Strike Back,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Poltava #Kharkiv #Kyiv #Lviv #DayofRemembrance #Ilovaisk

The #Soul of the #Poet – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

The Soul of their Poet...
his heart beats within me...
High on that mountain
high above the Dnipro
I feel the touch of his fingers
Grasping my quill, leading me
to share his hope, his fidelity...
His breath touches my face...
I feel his closeness
even as I write these lines...
 
The Soul of their Poet,
Taras Shevchenko, Taras,
the poet of his people, Ukraina...
The Kobzar, the rock, the fount,
the father of their nation
lives within me, guides me, writes,
sharing lines like sacred scripture...
Calling upon Taras within me,
his words to my lips,
his hope on my heart...
 
--------  
Edited September 10, 2026
The soul of the poet – v2
 
March 24, 2026
The soul of the poet
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-soul-of-poet.html
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
This poem was inspired by a note on February 3, 2026, from Oleksandra Moskalenko,
Willem F. Duisenberg Fellow, University of Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Studies,
on LinkedIn, “Shevchenko appears to us almost a prophet,
someone who foresaw this war and believed in our victory.”
Several of his poems speak to that to me, including “The Dream”,
“The Great Grave”, and “To Marko Vovchok”
Edited March 10, 2026
Gold, Золото – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/gold-v2.html
Drafted after seeing notes from my Ukrainian teacher
about expressions with Золото (Gold) within them:
1. Ти золото - “You are gold.”
2. У тебе золоте серце - “You have a heart of gold.”
3. Ти на вагу золота - “You are worth your weight in gold.”
4. Твої слова — Золото - “Your words are golden.”
5. Ти справжнє Золото - “You are pure gold.”
Edited October 17, 2024
peace in his spirit – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/peace-in-his-spirit-v2_26.html
after poem, “peace in his spirit”,
based on the poem, “To Marko Vovchok”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
about Maria Markovich
Edited October 3, 2025
Sing to me, Taras – v4
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
written 1/24/1859
New/edited and posted October 16, 2024
The Great Grave has been opened
typed October 16, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-great-grave-has-been-opened.html
after poem, “The Great Grave has been opened”,
based on the poem, “The Great Grave”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
taking his poem into the Ukraine / Russia War
and the bravery of the people of Ukraine now
Written and posted September 29, 2024
A voice against injustice
typed October 15, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-voice-against-injustice.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 10/15/24
 
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

Only You are #wise #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #Proverbs2 #Proverbs3 #wisdom

Only You are wise, Lord,
I confess my failure,
listening to my own counsel
quarrying my own wisdom
as if knowledge itself is life,
walking apart from You...
 
I confess that I am broken,
that I am an empty vessel...
Wisdom has but one reservoir
only one fount for an abundant life...
Wisdom is imparted by Your hand, O God,
in You alone is my reward...
 
You alone are wise, Father...
I am a fool to think I am...
I am but a cracked vessel...
I must not seek my own wisdom,
but I must trust in You alone, Lord,
for You are my salvation and strength...
 
I need You, Lord, each moment
trusting You only
for life is in the journey
with Your Holy Spirit guide my steps...
I have life in You only;
in You is my reward...

================
September 10, 2026
Only You are wise

September 10, 2026
You’re not as wise as you think
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/youre-not-as-wise-as-you-think.html
Proverbs 2
Genesis 3:7
Philippians 4:13
Men’s Thursday Evening Bible Study
North Hills Church
September 7, 2026
Help me to seek You
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/help-me-to-seek-you.html
Proverbs 2
Men’s Thursday Evening Bible Study
North Hills Church
August 29, 2026
Seeking Your Wise Counsel
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/seeking-your-wise-counsel.html
Psalm 16
Topic: Seeking Wise Counsel
Meeting of the Samson Society
North Hills Church
April 5, 2026
Do they see Jesus
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-they-see-jesus.html
Based on John 1:14
Easter Sunday
April 4, 2026
Do people see His likeness? – 2 (Bodhana)
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-people-see-his-likeness_4.html
Edited April 4, 2026
Do people see His likeness? – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-people-see-his-likeness-v3.html
Based on James 1:17
 
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, love, grace, faith, pray, prayer, Proverbs 2, Proverbs 3, wisdom

#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #Proverbs2 #Proverbs3 #wisdom

You’re not as #wise as you think #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #Proverbs2 #Proverbs3 #wisdom

listening to your own counsel
quarrying your own wisdom
as if knowledge is life
apart from walking with God...
 
wisdom has but one reservoir
only one fount for life...
wisdom is imparted by the hand of God
in Him is your reward...
 
you are not as wise as you think,
you too are a cracked vessel,,,
seek not your own wisdom,
but trust in the Lord...
 
life is in the journey
the Holy Spirit guiding your steps...
we have life in God only;
in Him is our reward...

================
September 10, 2026
You’re not as wise as you think
 
Proverbs 2
Genesis 3:7
Philippians 4:13
September 7, 2026
Help me to seek You
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/help-me-to-seek-you.html
Proverbs 2
Men’s Thursday Evening Bible Study
North Hills Church
August 29, 2026
Seeking Your Wise Counsel
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/seeking-your-wise-counsel.html
Psalm 16
Topic: Seeking Wise Counsel
Meeting of the Samson Society
North Hills Church
April 5, 2026
Do they see Jesus
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-they-see-jesus.html
Based on John 1:14
Easter Sunday
April 4, 2026
Do people see His likeness? – 2 (Bodhana)
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-people-see-his-likeness_4.html
Edited April 4, 2026
Do people see His likeness? – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/do-people-see-his-likeness-v3.html
Based on James 1:17
re:generation, Step 2, Believe, Week 2, Day 5, “God of the Bible: His Desire,
His Dilemma, His Pursuit”.
April 7, 2026
I have called on Your name
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/04/i-have-called-on-your-name.html
Based on Lamentations 3:55-59
re:generation, Step 2, Believe, Appendix C, “Abuse Supplement”.
 
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, love, grace, faith, pray, prayer, Proverbs 2, Proverbs 3, wisdom

#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #Proverbs2 #Proverbs3 #wisdom

болить, it hurts #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Poltava #Kharkiv #Kyiv #Lviv #DayofRemembrance #Ilovaisk

“болить”, “it hurts”, a comment, an emoji,
speaking so much without words
for every comrade taken, fallen
in this awful war, each memory
of valor lost to chaos, to murder,
to the whims of the madman
to the terror of the invasion,
the war on their sovereign land...
 
far too many to number,
but each known by name
to loved ones, those whom
they fought beside,
they struggled with to regain
their country’s freedom
in the crucible of those early months
when things were moving quickly...
 
“болить”, “it hurts”, speaking volumes...
Layered with emotion, feelings,
writing the stories behind each name
of those they each remember,
carved in honor, in eternal memory
of two who were lost freeing Kharkiv -
“Cayman” and “Swede” on this date -
Four years ago....
 
-----------
September 7, 2026
Болить, it hurts
 
Instagram post by Khrystyna Boychuk, defender of Ukraine
https://www.instagram.com/stories/kydrava_/3980994217881514328/
Edited June 19, 2026
Their best sons and daughters – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/their-best-sons-and-daughters-v5.html
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/
September 17, 2024
Their best sons and daughters
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/their-best-sons-and-daughters.html
August 23, 2024
Facebook post by Christina Kydrava:
https://www.facebook.com/kydrava1/posts/pfbid0cJ8NH19VAM1SsZKv1ythBzY3tnrNkFBHyqPTWmyRFF2BBdKPa3SskaE5Rd76fqbFl
April 18, 2023 Twitter post by @Ferlain
https://x.com/ferlain/status/1648256092634226688
quotes from Christina Kydrava, at the time of her 30^th birthday…
“I am not afraid of my death. I accept it. But I am afraid to lose the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. No one wants to pass this war to our descendants… I am living a postponed life now. If we don’t work as hard as it is only possible now there won’t be a second chance.”
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
Edited September 1, 2024
Too close to the border – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/too-close-to-border-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, God, prayer, war, tragedy, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Day of Remembrance, Ilovaisk, Poltava, Let Ukraine Strike Back,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #tragedy #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #Poltava #Kharkiv #Kyiv #Lviv #DayofRemembrance #Ilovaisk

A phrase too often repeated – v3 #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #StandWithUkraine #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #sirens

“a long night ahead”
 
a scene far too familiar, nightly,
parents whispering in the darkness,
trying not to frighten their children,
families huddled wherever they could,
in the metro, the bathtub, in the bomb shelters...
trying to stay safe, whatever that means…
“a long night ahead”,
a phrase too often repeated,
sounds of terror, of missiles, of drones,
of air raid sirens, of defenses firing, a staccato,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them, Ukraine…
 
a nation in peril, on edge,
on guard for what is coming,
incessant terror, so unjust...
words of truth, an understatement,
not sleeping in their beds…
sleeping in bomb shelters,
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
“a long night ahead”,
Russia’s rain/reign of terror unending
premeditated murder, mayhem,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
there is no stillness, only fear, anticipation,
millions on edge, not sleeping...
quiet shattered too quickly, terror,
missiles sent to destroy them
listening to whistles of the Shaheds…
more than fatigue, despair gripping,
cameras, bodies shaking, flared nostrils
of the influencers recording their truth,
“a long night ahead”, years now
of anguish, of nightly genocide...
screaming into the abyss...
no longer wanting to be brave…
 
---------------
Edited September 7, 2026
A phrase too often repeated – v3
 
Edited September 5, 2026
An artificial heartbeat – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/an-artificial-heartbeat-v2.html
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-long-night-ahead-v4.html
constant attack on Kyiv, on far too many cities in Ukraine
Posted September 2, 2026
Edited August 24, 2025
constant bombardment – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/constant-bombardment-v2.html
Edited June 20, 2025
may your cries of pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-your-cries-of-pain-v2.html
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave-v2.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html  
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-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, 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, poem, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, drones, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, ballistic missiles, sirens, air raid alerts,
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #StandWithUkraine #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #sirens