#droplets heavy on the #gossamer – v5 #poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family #spider #web

Dew, mist, today’s light rain shower,
exposed her artistry, her precision
that which she meant to hide...
 
Droplets heavy on the gossamer
jewels festooned on the threads,
the lattice of her craft, her handiwork.
 
Strands of pearls more than strung, knitted,
hung as if weightless in space...
outlining this creator’s masterpiece...
 
Each time she stitched the lines,
casting her net into the breeze,
what would normally be invisible, hidden...
 
Panes of deadly glass glazed to capture,
her prey in her clutches, the unwise,
the unseeing, falling onto her trap...
 
Her adorned confection, a tapestry,
her trap, shown in its beauty,
by the furtive wet...
 
---- 
Edited July 17, 2026
droplets heavy on the gossamer – v5
 
Edited December 23, 2023
droplets heavy on the gossamer – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/droplets-heavy-on-gossamer-v4.html
December 22, 2023
Conjuring a dream, a moment, a memory – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/12/conjuring-dream-moment-memory-v3.html
Edited December 22, 2022
Conjuring a dream, a moment, a memory – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/12/conjuring-dream-moment-memory-v2.html
Edited December 15, 2022
droplets heavy on the gossamer
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/12/droplets-heavy-on-gossamer.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, writing, Mary Oliver, inspiration, nature, God, faith, family, spider, web
 
#poetry #writing #MaryOliver #inspiration #nature #God #faith #family #spider #web
 

The #enemy has no idea – v4 #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #Vyshyvanka #cossacks #glory #eyes #truth #деньГероївУкраїни #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace

The enemy has no idea—
what giants they have awakened...
Ukraine will prevail—
Russia will be defeated—
The eyes of the defenders will smile again...
 
Peace will finally come
for these good and noble people,
like a dawn over the Donbas,
Life will return, glory,
but this memory will never fade...
 
The judgment of history
will fall upon the Moskals...
The stain of innocent blood,
of children, of defenders,
will haunt them for eternity...
 
Like Pilate in The Master and Margarita,
The price will be eternal for them,
for those who invaded,
those who sowed terror,
for greed, a genocide...
 
History demands Justice —
Justice will come to their door...
Their crimes will not be forgotten...
 
----------------
Edited July 17, 2026
The enemy has no idea – v4
 
Перекладено 25 травня 2026 року
Ворог навіть не уявляє
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/blog-post_25.html
24 травня 2026 року
Ворог навіть не уявляє
після масових ракетних ударів Росії по Києву,
і протягом 4 років війни
May 24, 2026
The enemy has no idea
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-enemy-has-no-idea.html
after massive missile attacks by Russia on Kyiv,
and throughout the 4 years of the war
Translated back into English, May 24, 2026
The Eyes of the Defenders – Version 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-eyes-of-defenders-version-3.html
Today is the Day of the Heroes of Ukraine 
день Героїв України
Translated, May 24, 2026
Очі захисників – версія 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/3.html
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Edited May 23, 2026
Eyes of the Defenders - v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/eyes-of-defenders-v3.html
May 21, 2026
The Patterns of Their Culture
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-patterns-of-their-culture.html
Happy #VyshyvankaDay 2026
З Днем вишиванки!
21 травня 2026 року
Візерунки їхньої культури
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/blog-post_20.html
З Днем вишиванки!
Happy #VyshyvankaDay
May 22, 2024
In the crucible of history
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-crucible-of-history.html
About President Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський,
and the Ukrainian people
 
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, victory, hope, courage, heroes, victory, glory, Cossacks, eyes, truth, день Героїв України, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #Vyshyvanka #cossacks #glory #eyes #truth #деньГероївУкраїни #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace

The #Crimean #peninsula an #island – v2 #poetry #Crimea #Ukraine #victory #freedom #independence #glory #peace #drones #electricity #gasoline #Fedorov #Magyar #KerchBridge

A concerted effort
a strategic strangulation...
The peninsula an island
the cords being cut
the invader unwelcome,
being driven out...
 
Power being cut off
one lifeline for escape...
No fuel for the aggressor
no safe harbor for them
in their illegal annexation...
 
Drones and missiles
destroying their evil
no fuel from inland tankers...
the peninsula an island
the aggressor driven out...
 
----------
Edited July 16, 2026
The peninsula an island
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/if-we-would-just-listen.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, Crimea, victory, freedom, independence, glory, peace, drones, electricity, gasoline, Fedorov, Magyar, Kerch Bridge,
 
#poetry #Crimea #Ukraine #victory #freedom #independence #glory #peace #drones #electricity #gasoline #Fedorov #Magyar #KerchBridge

If we would just #listen – v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law #trust #believe #faith #submission #prayer

our way would be straighter
our path would be easier
if we would just listen
if we walked each day
in the way God commands,
if we follow the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the Word God left us
if we would change
if we would follow
the way of Jesus,
the way of the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the Spirit speaking to us
if we would cleave to every word
breathed by our loving God...
Our way would be easier
if we trusted in God
if we trusted in Him alone...
 
------ 
Edited July 17, 2026
If we would just listen – v2
 
 
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, sin, sacrifice, atonement, Jesus, salvation, blood, cost, Law, believe, trust, faith, submission, prayer,
 
#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law #trust #believe #faith #submission #prayer

#hand-written #signs – v2 #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #cossacks #glory #eyes #truth #деньГероївУкраїни #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace #honor #remembrance

They stand in pain, in protest,
continuing this tradition, their way...
more than a moment of honor, of silence,
a shadow on their lives
Their loss is so profound...
Hand-written signs, something tangible,
their prayers, their petitions,
They're honoring the dead...
They cry for each one held prisoner,
captives of Moskal’s horde...
 
Pain is palpable in these witnesses
these words about their loved ones...
Their faces paint their sorrow
signs they hold so tightly...
Their loss is so profound
shattering hope, their lives,
their pleas written boldly
imprinted words of power
held high to honor
all those they love...
 
---------------- 
Edited July 17, 2026
hand-written signs – v2
 
signs for the Moment of Honor,
seen on Instagram and elsewhere
written by Ukrainians, for their loved ones
killed and held prisoners still...
employing the same way of protest used
by Ukrainian peoples
Translated into English May 25, 2026
The enemy has no idea - translated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-enemy-has-no-idea-translated.html
Перекладено 25 травня 2026 року
Ворог навіть не уявляє
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/blog-post_25.html
24 травня 2026 року
Ворог навіть не уявляє
після масових ракетних ударів Росії по Києву,
і протягом 4 років війни
May 24, 2026
The enemy has no idea
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-enemy-has-no-idea.html
after massive missile attacks by Russia on Kyiv,
and throughout the 4 years of the war
Translated back into English, May 24, 2026
The Eyes of the Defenders – Version 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-eyes-of-defenders-version-3.html
Today is the Day of the Heroes of Ukraine 
день Героїв України
Translated, May 24, 2026
Очі захисників – версія 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/3.html
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Today is the Day of the Heroes of Ukraine 
день Героїв України
They are with Ukraine now, in their fight. 
Stand with Ukraine. 
Happy Heroes Day.
May 21, 2026
The Patterns of Their Culture
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-patterns-of-their-culture.html
May 22, 2024
In the crucible of history
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-crucible-of-history.html
About President Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський,
and the Ukrainian people
 
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, victory, hope, courage, heroes, victory, glory, Cossacks, eyes, truth, день Героїв України, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice, honor, remembrance,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #cossacks #glory #eyes #truth #деньГероївУкраїни #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace #honor #remembrance

In the #crucible of #war – v3 #poetry #Разом #об'єднані #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #innovation #resolve #resilience #Fedorov #Zelenskyy

In the crucible of war
more than a decade of terror,
Because they have no choice
if they are to survive
if they are to prevail
in this great test...
 
In the crucible of war,
changing history now,
stepping up, innovating...
marshaling a whole people...
to one common cause,
The defense of their homeland
for the love of Ukraine...
 
In the crucible of war
facing their mortality,
being fully honest, raw,
speaking unvarnished truth...
Open about their struggle
the immense pain inside...
 
In the crucible of war
everything else stripped away...
joining united, together,
as a people, as a nation...
Against our common enemy,
their imperial lust...
 
In the crucible of war
the Ukrainian people
staying determined, focused,
not losing their humanity...
Even as the enemy strikes
in wanton acts of terror...
 
----------------
Edited July 16, 2026
In the crucible of war – v3
 
Inspired by countless posts across social media
about what Ukraine is doing as a people
and what they have suffered as a people and as individuals
through 12 years of war and more than 4 years of the full-scale invasion
Edited July 13, 2026
In the crucible – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-crucible-v2.html
Edited July 8, 2026
Together United – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/together-united-v2.html
July 2, 2026
United Together
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/united-together.html
July 2, 2026
Разом об'єднані
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/blog-post.html
Edited July 7, 2026
In these Harrowing Hours
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-these-harrowing-hours.html  
Russian attacks on Kyiv apartment buildings
Edited July 1, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/breaking-chains-of-empire-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.html
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
Edited July 20, 2024
A just peace must rise – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-just-peace-must-rise-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, 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, Разом, об'єднані, United, together, Ukraine, Ukrainians, victory, unity, memory, honor, freedom, independence, glory, innovation, resolve, resilience, Fedorov, Zelenskyy
 
#poetry #Разом #об'єднані  #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #innovation #resolve #resilience #Fedorov #Zelenskyy

If we would just listen #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

our path would be easier
our way would be straighter
if we would just listen
if we walk each day
in the way God commands,
if we follow the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the word God left us
if we would change
if we would follow
the way of Jesus,
the way of the cross...
 
if we would just listen
to the Spirit speaking to us
if we would cleave to every word
breathed by our God...
Our way would be easier
if we trusted in God...
 
------ 
July 16, 2026
If we would just listen
 
July 16, 2026
The cost was blood
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-cost-was-blood.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, God, Christ, Spirit, sin, sacrifice, atonement, Jesus, salvation, blood, cost, Law,
 
#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

The #cost was #blood #Poetry #God #Christ #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

Their sacrifice for sin
The cost was blood
A life for a life
Because every sin
Is a death sentence
Estrangement from God...
 
Repeated, repeated,
Never enough
Until Christ came
To save us
Once and for all
For our eternal salvation
For the cost was His blood...
 
------ 
July 16, 2026
The cost was blood
 
The detailed listing of the Jewish sacrifice system
Leviticus 1-7
Leviticus 16
and other chapters in the Torah:
Burnt Offering
Grain Offering
Peace Offering
Sin (or Purification) Offering
Guilt (or Trespass) Offering
 
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, sin, sacrifice, atonement, Jesus, Christ, salvation, blood, cost, Law,

#Poetry #God #Christ #sin #sacrifice #atonement #Jesus #salvation #blood #cost #Law

while they were shooting up - v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin

speaking Christ’s words of love
of God, of salvation, bearing witness,
with them, urgently present,
there on the streets, in the slums,
down in the trenches with them
while they were shooting up
the poison coursing through their veins...
living out the Great Commission,
kneeling where they are...
 
their eyes betrayed them,
The image is so stark, so jarring,
their pain was so evident, so raw,
lost in their chaos, but knowing
how desperately they need freedom
even as they are inviting liquid evil
imprisoned in chains of their addiction
in these shackles of bondage...
while they were shooting up...
convicted, knowing they need Jesus
to live, to be free...
 
crouching down before them
living the Great Commission
while they were shooting up...
speaking God’s word of salvation
to the last, the least, the lost,
with them where they are
in their living reality...
Bringing them Jesus
His light to save the world...
 
------ 
Edited July 15, 2026
while they were shooting up – v2
 
July 5, 2026
Faith Renewed Church
Testimony by missionary to South Africa -
graphic image of missionaries talking
with heroin addicts, one with the needle
on the ground before him, the other with the needle in his leg...
 
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, Great Commission, Matthew 28, South Africa, missionary, drugs, addiction, heroin, gospel, salvation, prayer, power, poison, sin, 

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin

The #peninsula an #island #poetry #Crimea #Ukraine #victory #freedom #independence #glory #peace #drones #electricity #gasoline

The peninsula an island
the cords being cut
the invader unwelcome,
being driven out...
 
Power being cut
no fuel for the aggressor
no safe harbor
on their homeland...
 
Drones and missiles
destroying their evil
the peninsula an island
the aggressor driven out...
 
----------
July 16, 2026
The peninsula an island
 
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, Crimea, victory, freedom, independence, glory, peace, drones, electricity, gasoline
 
#poetry #Crimea #Ukraine #victory #freedom #independence #glory #peace #drones #electricity #gasoline 

while they were shooting up - v2 #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin

speaking Christ’s words of love
of God, of salvation, bearing witness,
with them, urgently present,
there on the streets, in the slums,
down in the trenches with them
while they were shooting up
the poison coursing through their veins...
living out the Great Commission,
kneeling where they are...
 
their eyes betrayed them,
The image is so stark, so jarring,
their pain was so evident, so raw,
lost in their chaos, but knowing
how desperately they need freedom
even as they are inviting liquid evil
imprisoned in chains of their addiction
in these shackles of bondage...
while they were shooting up...
convicted, knowing they need Jesus
to live, to be free...
 
crouching down before them
living the Great Commission
while they were shooting up...
speaking God’s word of salvation
to the last, the least, the lost,
with them where they are
in their living reality...
Bringing them Jesus
His light to save the world...
 
------ 
Edited July 15, 2026
while they were shooting up – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/while-they-were-shooting-up-v2_0793170506.html
July 5, 2026
Faith Renewed Church
Testimony by missionary to South Africa -
graphic image of missionaries talking
with heroin addicts, one with the needle
on the ground before him, the other with the needle in his leg...

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, Great Commission, Matthew 28, South Africa, missionary, drugs, addiction, heroin, gospel, salvation, prayer, power, poison, sin,

#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #GreatCommission #Matthew28 #SouthAfrica #missionary #drugs #heroin #gospel #salvation #prayer #power #poison #sin

#Together #United – v3 #poetry #Разом #об'єднані #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #разом #перемоги

Together, until victory,
together, focused, united,
not considering anything less
no land for a false peace,
living a life on guard,
to the realities around them...
The roar of the missiles,
the whizz of the drones...
 
Ukraine, her nation, her people
and those who support Ukraine
those who believe in freedom
for this ancient land
Together united
Standing against evil
for as long as it takes
to achieve victory...
 
Ukraine stands together
Every child of this land
for liberty, for freedom
for a just peace to rise
for the prisoners to return
for the children to come home
a vast sea of wheat
under her sky at rest...
 
Together, united,
with one common purpose
Living as one people
holding onto culture,
to the memory of each one fallen
that which makes them Ukraine
For as long as it takes
until a just peace comes...
 
----------
Edited July 13, 2026
Together United – v3
 
July 2, 2026
United Together
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/united-together.html
July 2, 2026
Разом об'єднані
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/blog-post.html
Edited July 7, 2026
Marching to their death – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/marching-to-their-death-v2.html
New Russian soldiers have about a 20-minute life expectancy 
on the front lines in Ukraine. 
Edited July 4, 2026
In the Harrowing Hours
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-harrowing-hours-ukraine-kyiv-shahed.html
Russian attacks on Kyiv apartment buildings
Edited July 1, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/breaking-chains-of-empire-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.html
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
July 20, 2024
Resolve personified
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/resolve-personified.html
Edited July 20, 2024
A just peace must rise – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-just-peace-must-rise-v3.html
June 29, 2024
X post by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
https://x.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1806999435559289050
at @DubrovnikForum in Croatia
 
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, Разом, об'єднані, United, together, Ukraine, Ukrainians, victory, unity, memory, honor, freedom, independence, glory, peace,
 
#poetry #Разом #об'єднані  #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #разом #перемоги

In the #crucible of #war - v2 #poetry #Разом #об'єднані #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #innovation #resolve #resilience

In the crucible of war
stepping up, innovating...
marshaling a whole people...
to one common cause,
The defense of their homeland...
 
In the crucible of war
being fully honest, raw,
speaking unvarnished truth...
Open about their struggle
the immense pain inside...
 
In the crucible of war
joining united, together,
as a people, as a nation...
Against our common enemy,
their imperial lust...
 
In the crucible of war
staying determined, focused,
not losing their humanity...
Even as the enemy strikes
in wanton acts of terror...
 
----------------
July 9, 2026
In the crucible of war – v2
 
Inspired by countless posts across social media
about what Ukraine is doing as a people
and what they have suffered as a people and as individuals
through 12 years of war and more than 4 years of the full-scale invasion
Edited July 13, 2026
In the crucible – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-crucible-v2.html
Edited July 8, 2026
Together United – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/together-united-v2.html
July 2, 2026
United Together
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/united-together.html
July 2, 2026
Разом об'єднані
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/blog-post.html
Edited July 7, 2026
In these Harrowing Hours
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-these-harrowing-hours.html  
Russian attacks on Kyiv apartment buildings
Edited July 1, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/breaking-chains-of-empire-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.html
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
Edited July 20, 2024
A just peace must rise – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-just-peace-must-rise-v3.html
June 29, 2024
X post by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
https://x.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1806999435559289050
at @DubrovnikForum in Croatia
 
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, Разом, об'єднані, United, together, Ukraine, Ukrainians, victory, unity, memory, honor, freedom, independence, glory, innovation, resolve, resilience,
 
#poetry #Разом #об'єднані  #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #innovation #resolve #resilience

In the #crucible – v2 #poetry #Разом #об'єднані #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #innovation #resolve #resilience #crucible

Only in crisis,
in the crucible
We find ourselves,
who we truly are...
Every artifice and pretext
is stripped away...
 
Only in trial
in the chaos
do we see clearly...
Only through the fire,
through the maelstrom,
is the truth revealed...
 
There is so much anguish
in the process,
in the burning...
But hope is only  in striving,
in leaning forward,
Only then will peace come...
 
----------------
Edited July 13, 2026
In the crucible – v2
 
July 9, 2026
In the crucible of war
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-crucible-of-war.html
Inspired by countless posts across social media
about what Ukraine is doing as a people
and what they have suffered as a people and as individuals
through 12 years of war and more than 4 years of the full-scale invasion
Edited July 8, 2026
Together United – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/together-united-v2.html
July 2, 2026
United Together
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/united-together.html
July 2, 2026
Разом об'єднані
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/blog-post.html
Edited July 7, 2026
In these Harrowing Hours
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-these-harrowing-hours.html  
Russian attacks on Kyiv apartment buildings
Edited July 1, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/breaking-chains-of-empire-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.html
Edited March 3, 2026
Taras saw this future – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/taras-saw-this-future-v3.html
Edited July 20, 2024
A just peace must rise – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-just-peace-must-rise-v3.html
June 29, 2024
X post by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
https://x.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1806999435559289050
at @DubrovnikForum in Croatia
 
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, Разом, об'єднані, United, together, Ukraine, Ukrainians, victory, unity, memory, honor, freedom, independence, glory, innovation, resolve, resilience,
 
#poetry #Разом #об'єднані  #United #together #Ukraine #Ukrainians #victory #unity #memory #honor #freedom #independence #glory #innovation #resolve #resilience #crucible
 

#drinking these #words of #Jesus #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #prayer #love #John15 #friend #disciple #master #abide

coming in communion with scripture
drinking these words of Jesus
dripping from His lips,
prayed over the disciples
sensing the tension, the fear,
in the upper room...
sharing of the cup
eating of the bread
falling down in worship
in cleaving to Christ’s command
to love as He loved us,
walking humbly in the world...
 
dipping our bodies, our souls,
into these living waters,
pausing to breathe deeply
of the promises in His words,
the command to love one another
to abide in Christ’s love
offered in these words
but more by His example,
His choice to climb the cross...
Being prepared to see our neighbor
our brothers and sisters as worthy
of our love, our very lives...
 
--------------
July 13, 2026
drinking these words of Jesus
 
sermon, “I have called you friends”
sermon series, “Written in Red”
John 15:9-17
Matthew 26:48-50
1 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 13:20
Acts 4:13
James 2:23
Exodus 33:15
Faith Renewed Church
July 13, 2026
Falling at Your Throne
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/falling-at-your-throne.html
Faith Renewed 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, 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, prayer, love, John 15, friend, disciple, master, abide,
 
#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #prayer #love #John15 #friend #disciple #master #abide

Falling at Your #Throne #Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #prayer #submission #worship #child #children #love #praise #pray #praying #prayer

I saw him moving so quickly
running from his pew, his seat,
on legs so tiny, so small,
Falling before at Your altar,
Falling at Your throne, oh Lord...
not looking for attention
but convicted, Father,
Singing Your praises,
The glory of Your name...
 
He fell to his knees,
in submission, modeled,
by his elders, his family...
He came forward running,
with reckless abandon, falling,
knowing You alone are worthy
of our worship and praise,
Falling to his knees in worship,
Offering You his heart, his day...
 
--------------
July 13, 2026
Falling at Your Throne
 
Faith Renewed 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, 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, God, Christ, Spirit, faith, prayer, submission, worship, child, children, love, praise, prayer, praying, pray,
 
#Poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #faith #prayer #submission #worship #child #children #love #praise #pray #praying #prayer

#Ukrainian #Innovation – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #missiles #drones #innovation

Their creativity, innovation,
starting from nothing
handcuffed by their allies...
Ukraine’s innovation is
changing the course of history
The way of modern war...
 
They are like America after Pearl Harbor,
Ukraine after the full-scale invasion -
All hands on deck...
in garages and basements
across Ukraine
A new war would rise...
 
Everyone is an inventor,
a creator of a drone army
through innovation and necessity
filling critical gaps in manpower...
An emergent new strategy,
taking advantage of Russia’s size...
 
The Age of Drones has emerged,
UAVs and UGVs,
and homegrown missiles,
rising from Ukraine’s black soil...
Innovation will save them...
They are heroes, one and all...
 
--------
Edited July 11, 2026
Innovation – v2
 
Edited July 1, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/breaking-chains-of-empire-v2.html
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.html
Edited June 30, 2026
Taras saw this future – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/taras-saw-this-future-v4.html
July 20, 2024
Resolve personified
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/resolve-personified.html
Edited July 20, 2024
A just peace must rise – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-just-peace-must-rise-v3.html
June 29, 2024
X post by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
https://x.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1806999435559289050
at @DubrovnikForum in Croatia
 
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, muse, drones, Crimea, missiles,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #missiles #drones