An #artificial #heartbeat - v2 #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #sirens

An artificial heartbeat
a buzzing, not a metronome,
the advancing of minutes,
far from a circadian rhythm
a beating of the sirens...
Air-raid warnings bleating
an artificial heartbeat
as wave upon wave of terror
stalks their people, their cities,
shattering their way of life...
 
Not a barrage less frequent...
but a constant threat is rising...
No rest for the weary
No peace for children
trying to return to school...
so are these hours of terror
gripping Kyiv for many days...
Alerts sounding between impacts
the next wave of Russia’s genocide...
 
A staccato without cadence,
the whine becoming constant...
the air-raid sirens, the alerts...
Randomly repeating, incessant,
a drumbeat out of rhythm,
a harbinger of missiles incoming,
alerting them to run, to seek shelter,
When there isn’t enough time
When their days are shattered...
 
---------------
Edited September 5, 2026
An artificial heartbeat – v2
 
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 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 #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #sirens

An #artificial #heartbeat #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #sirens

An artificial heartbeat
a buzzing, not a metronome,
the advancing of minutes,
far from a circadian rhythm
a beating of the sirens...
Air-raid warnings bleating
an artificial heartbeat
as wave upon wave of terror
stalks their people, their cities,
shattering their way of life...
 
 
Not a barrage less frequent...
but a constant threat is rising...
No rest for the weary
No peace for children
trying to return to school...
so are these hours of terror
gripping Kyiv for many days...
Alerts sounding between impacts
the next wave of Russia’s genocide...
 
---------------
September 5, 2026
An artificial heartbeat
 
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 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 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
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-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, 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 #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #sirens

choosing to stay – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #humansafari #Putin #murder #children #civilians #warcrimes #crimesagainsthumanity #Mariupol #Kherson #FPV #drones #ZarinaZabrisky #CaolanRobertson

they couldn’t, cannot leave,
their hearts wouldn’t, won’t let them
this land that they love
this place of their essence...
 
brave people under constant attack
but choosing to stay anyway,
unwilling to leave their homes
while living in an active war zone...
 
children of the land, of Kherson,
planted in her rich black soil,
staying when others have departed
seeking to feed the world...
 
a choice to stay, to serve,
to grow the crops they love,
under the threat of death, terror,
on the land they know so well...
 
We must stand with these people...
We must support them in this struggle...
Each of them needs to be lifted up
but not just in our prayers...
 
the world needs to wake up
to the truth of daily terror
too long have they suffered alone
on the land which they love...
 
----------
Edited September 5, 2026
choosing to stay – v2

inspired by the posts of PhD Viktoriia Zieschank, @Viktoriia Zieschank
https://www.youtube.com/@MEDIAFIXGmbH
a native of Kherson and an agricultural PhD at Kherson State University
and Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University in Kherson for 20 years
and by the work of journalists Zarina Zabrisky and Caolan Robertson
bringing attention to the plight of the people of Kherson
and the farmers of Ukraine under constant attacks by Russia,
the reality of the threat of death through human safaris
Edited August 6, 2026
Human Safari – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/human-safari-v2.html
https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2084608193645146204
Viral video of Yurii, a 52-year-old vegetable seller,
hunted by a Russian FPV drone in Kherson, Ukraine
Edited August 6, 2026
civilian targets – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/civilian-targets-v3.html
Caolan Robertson’s reel of August 4, 2026:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1608733760765457
Caolan Robertson’s documentary about a farmer
hunted in his fields in Kherson, October 113, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTnKYTxWOY
November 2025
https://youtu.be/yaAUV3JmxwM?si=JN07Bdby8cG9-dIk
Zarina Zabrisky’s documentary, “Kherson: Human Safari”
New name/edited October 15, 2025
civilian targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-targets.html
October 14, 2025
targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/targets.html
Edited March 16, 2026
Дети – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/v5_16.html
Edited September 1, 2025
our complacency is our complicity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/our-complacency-is-our-complicity_1.html
Edited August 30, 2025
the cost of our silence is measured in children’s lives – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-cost-of-our-silence-is-measured-in_30.html
Edited July 12, 2025
Unrelenting Terror – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/unrelenting-terror-v2.html
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-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, Ukraine, God, prayer, war, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, human safari, Putin, murder, children, civilians, war crimes, crimes against humanity, Mariupol, Kherson, FPV, drones,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #humansafari #Putin #murder #children #civilians #warcrimes #crimesagainsthumanity #Mariupol #Kherson #FPV #drones #ZarinaZabrisky #CaolanRobertson

choosing to stay #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #humansafari #Putin #murder #children #civilians #warcrimes #crimesagainsthumanity #Mariupol #Kherson #FPV #drones #ZarinaZabrisky #CaolanRobertson

people under constant attack
but choosing to stay anyway
unwilling to leave their homes
living in an active war zone...
 
children of the land, of Kherson,
planted in her rich black soil,
staying when others have departed
seeking to feed the world...
 
a choice to stay, to serve,
to grow the crops they love,
under the threat of death
on the land they know so well...
 
We must stand with these people...
We must support them in this struggle...
Each of them needs to be lifted up
but not just in our prayers...
 
----------
September 5, 2026
choosing to stay
 
inspired by the posts of Professor Viktoriia Zieschank,
https://www.youtube.com/@MEDIAFIXGmbH
a native of Kherson and an agricultural professor at Kherson State University
and Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University in Kherson for 20 years
and by the work of journalists Zarina Zabrisky and Caolan Robertson
bringing attention to the plight of the people of Kherson
and the farmers of Ukraine under constant attacks by Russia,
the reality of the threat of death through human safaris
Edited August 6, 2026
Human Safari – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/human-safari-v2.html
https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2084608193645146204
Viral video of Yurii, a 52-year-old vegetable seller,
hunted by a Russian FPV drone in Kherson, Ukraine
Edited August 6, 2026
civilian targets – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/civilian-targets-v3.html
Caolan Robertson’s reel of August 4, 2026:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1608733760765457
Caolan Robertson’s documentary about a farmer
hunted in his fields in Kherson, October 113, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTnKYTxWOY
November 2025
https://youtu.be/yaAUV3JmxwM?si=JN07Bdby8cG9-dIk
Zarina Zabrisky’s documentary, “Kherson: Human Safari”
New name/edited October 15, 2025
civilian targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-targets.html
October 14, 2025
targets
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/targets.html
Edited March 16, 2026
Дети – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/v5_16.html
Edited September 1, 2025
our complacency is our complicity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/09/our-complacency-is-our-complicity_1.html
Edited August 30, 2025
the cost of our silence is measured in children’s lives – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-cost-of-our-silence-is-measured-in_30.html
Edited July 12, 2025
Unrelenting Terror – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/07/unrelenting-terror-v2.html
Edited April 14, 2025
Screaming into the Void – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/screaming-into-void-v3.html
Revised April 11, 2025
Kryvyi Rih – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/kryvyi-rih-v2-kryvyi-rih-not-just.html
Edited December 12, 2024
The blood of the dead in Bucha – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-v6.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, human safari, Putin, murder, children, civilians, war crimes, crimes against humanity, Mariupol, Kherson, FPV, drones,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #humansafari #Putin #murder #children #civilians #warcrimes #crimesagainsthumanity #Mariupol #Kherson #FPV #drones #ZarinaZabrisky #CaolanRobertson

embracing #isolation #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Israel #Iran #Gaza #UnitedStates #America #neutrality #responsibility #indifference #isolationism

claiming we are a hegemon
but asserting indifference
forgetting the essential truth –
With great blessings
comes great responsibility...
 
embracing isolation
in an age of information -
Two oceans do not protect us
for we are a global power
with great responsibility...
 
neutrality is not an option
in an age of genocide –
our choices matter...
We must make moral choices
for we have great responsibility...
 
embracing isolation
yet asserting our power
abrogating the rule of law
siding with the autocrats
forgetting our great responsibility...
 
--------  
September 3, 2026
embracing isolation
 
remarks on September 2, 2026 by President Trump
Edited August 12, 2026
the worst evil is indifference – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-worst-evil-is-indifference-v2.html
Edited August 12, 2026
Ukraine’s Partners
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/ukraines-partners-v2.html
https://lnkd.in/p/efHUeTGR
Europe is still purchasing Russian oil and gas
Edited August 11, 2026
the dust of Pokrovsk – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-dust-of-pokrovsk-v2.html
Edited/ new name February 19, 2026
Four years crying into the void
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/four-years-crying-into-void.html
Edited October 7, 2025
We must stand on the side of Freedom – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/we-must-stand-on-side-of-freedom-v2.html
August 28, 2025
the cost of silence measured in children’s lives
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-cost-of-silence-measured-in.html
March 16, 2022 – Bombing of Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol
July 8, 2024 – Attack on Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital, Kyiv
April 4, 2025 – Shelling of the playground in Kryvyi Rih
Edited November 29, 2024
the front will be everywhere – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-front-will-be-everywhere-v3.html
Quote: “На фронті будуть всі,
aбо фронт буде всюди”
“Everyone will be at the front,
or the front will be everywhere"
 
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, freedom, neutrality, Georgia, Israel, Iran, Gaza, United States, America, responsibility, indifference, isolationism
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #freedom #independence #Georgia #Israel #Iran #Gaza #UnitedStates #America #neutrality #responsibility #indifference #isolationism

Close the skies over #Moscow #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

The air is unsafe for civilians
mixed use airfields, terror...
Raining war on Ukraine,
strike after strike...
 
Shut the skies over Russia,
ground their aviation...
Silence the jet engines,
for the war has come home...
 
Drones and missiles flying
over the land of Russia...
Nowhere is safe for them
from Ukraine’s air defense...
 
Swarming toward the archers,
The airfields used for terror...
Close the skies over Moscow
and old St. Petersburg...
 
The war has turned eastward
to the seat of power...
Ground the planes of Russia,
chaos is their reward...
 
---------------
September 2, 2026
Close the skies over Moscow
 
Based on announcements on September 1, 2026, by President Zelenskyy, warning
of drone and missile activities inside Russia near airports
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcwOEwRI2fl/
September 1, 2026
Shut the skies over Russia
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/shut-skies-over-russia.html
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-long-night-ahead-v4.html
Constant attacks 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 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 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
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-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, 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, airports
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

Shut the #skies over #Russia #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

Shut the skies over Russia,
ground their aviation...
Silence the jet engines,
for the war has come home...
 
Drones and missiles flying
over the land of Russia...
Nowhere is safe for them
from Ukraine’s air defense...
 
Swarming toward the archers,
The airfields used for terror...
Close the skies over Moscow
and old St. Petersburg...
 
The war has turned eastward
to the seat of power...
Ground the planes of Russia,
Chaos is their reward...
 
---------------
September 1, 2026
Shut the skies over Russia
 
Based on announcements on September 1, 2026, by President Zelenskyy, warning
of drone and missile activities inside Russia near airports
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcwOEwRI2fl/
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-long-night-ahead-v4.html
Constant attacks 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 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 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
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-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, 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, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, ballistic missiles, airports
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #airports

constant bombardment – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #God #StandWithUkraine

They live under constant bombardment
daily attacks without ceasing
endless terror, genocide,
so many innocent civilians
murdered in their beds…
 
They face relentless bombings in their cities
Shahed drones, bombs, and missiles
in the night, the daylight, coming,
no rest for the weary, the people,
Russia’s constant attacks…
 
They are still waiting for partners
for the Willing to act,
to Stand With Ukraine
in their valiant fight…
 
They alone have carried
the banner of freedom
the rules-based order
this moment, this test…
 
We must share the responsibility
because Russia will not stop
they must be defeated in Ukraine
for peace to come…
 
-----------
Posted September 2, 2026
Edited August 24, 2025
constant bombardment – v2
 
Edited August 14, 2025
Shared Responsibility – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/shared-responsibility-v2.html
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
Ukrainian National Flag Day, Day of the National Flag – August 23, 2025
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 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, 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, US, NATO, terror, genocide,
  
#poetry #Ukraine #God #StandWithUkraine

After #Taras - Book Reveal #video #book #Shevchenko #AfterTaras #Poetry #Ukraine #TarasShevchenko #BookLaunch #PoetryCommunity #IndieAuthor #BookPromotion #AmWriting #Readers #Literature #Hope #Peace #RaymondFoss #victory #PoetryWhereYouLive #StandWithUkraine

My copies of After Taras came in the mail!! So excited!

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. All of my poems are at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a long night ahead – v4 #poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones

A year ago, this poem title seemed novel
Something I should report on
the escalation of the attacks
were falling on the capital,
the nation was on edge...
 
What was once measured
has become a daily terror
in the night and in the daylight
air raid sirens incessant
pausing only for attacks...
 
Too many attacks, too much,
falling from the news stories,
failing to capture the world’s attention,
so many crimes, crises, trauma,
natural disasters in our consciousness…
 
But Russia’s reign of terror keeps repeating,
another day, a night of aerial attacks,
ballistic missiles with no interceptors...
We must never forget these people,
We must give them what they need…
 
Premeditated murder, mayhem,
the reign of terror unending,
glide bombs, Shaheds and other drones,
the threat of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
A nation in peril, on edge,
the Ukrainian people exhausted...
Words of truth, understatement,
not sleeping in their beds,
A long night ahead…
 
Sleeping in bomb shelters -  
If they have time to run -
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
listening to whistles of the Shaheds,
angry missiles sent to destroy them…
 
a long night ahead,
a phrase too often repeated,
the danger of Russian genocide
nightly terror of Putin
ever present with them…
 
---------------
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
 
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
constant attack on Kyiv, on far too many cities in Ukraine
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 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
Edited May 29, 2025
Weakening Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/weakening-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, 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, dead, wounded, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, ballistic missiles
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #Putin #StandWithUkraine #SanctionRussia #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones

#Pray for the #Widows and #children of #Ukraine #poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka #OlenaIvanenko #вшануй #Honor #DayofRemembrance #widows

Lord, we pause to remember
on the Day of Remembrance...
our hearts heavy laden
on what has been lost...
The best sons and daughters of Ukraine...
 
But our grief is so much smaller
compared to each defender’s loved ones...
We pray for the widows of Ukraine...
May You comfort their hearts...
 
We honor, we remember
their love, their great sacrifice
standing for their nation
fallen in battle to Glory...
The defenders of Ukraine...
 
We pray for the widows
of Ukraine, of Freedom,
Those who sorrow in memory
in daily honor, for those they love...
 
And we must also remember
the children of the fallen -
Their legacy here with us –
We must lift them up, forever,
in our daily prayers...

In Your holy name, Amen.

‐-------
August 30, 2026
Pray for the Widows of Ukraine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/pray-for-widows-of-ukraine.html
August 29, 2026
Ukrainian Day of Remembrance for all those fallen defending Ukraine
Edited 2 June, 2026
Because of all of you – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/because-of-all-of-you-v3.html
Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, Cheka Fest 2.0, чекафест
Edited May 27, 2026
Cheka, One Voice – Version 2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/cheka-one-voice-version-2.html
Cheka Fest 2.0, 30/5/26, Lviv
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
“To remember the dead is to appreciate the living.”
Quote by defender about Cheka Fest, June 1, 2025, in Lviv,
https://www.instagram.com/cheka.fest/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited March 21, 2026
Unity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/03/unity-v2.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
Edited February 18, 2026
to remember the dead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/to-remember-dead-v2.html 
Edited December 1, 2025
Sacred Days – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/sacred-days-v4.html
Edited September 6, 2024
Flying from every flagpole – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole-v2.html
August 27, 2024
The Flag of their Independence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-flag-of-their-independence.html

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com )  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Iryna Tsybukh, Moment of Honor, Minute of Silence, Вшануй, Honor, Day of Remembrance, widows,

#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka #OlenaIvanenko #вшануй #Honor #DayofRemembrance #widows

#Seeking Your #Wise #Counsel #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit #Psalm16

These words are a prayer for another
a brother who is hurting, in sin;
but I pray these words over both of us...
Oh Lord, heal us within...
 
A spirit of death is upon me
I dip my cup into sin...
Release me, I pray, O Father,
from this struggle, this pain...
Heal me completely within...
 
Lead me to Your Light,
Your Love in holy scripture...
Guide me out of this darkness
Lord, heal me to live again...
 
Only You are righteous,
the fount from which we drink...
Only Your wise counsel
can heal us completely within...

================
August 29, 2026
Seeking Your Wise Counsel
 
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
Based on John 8:12
Based on John 13:35
Based on John 14:9
Based on John 15
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
Based on Genesis 1:27
Based on Romans 11:36
Based on Psalm 16:11
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
Based on 2 Peter 3:9
Based on Isaiah 25:8
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, regeneration, faith, pray, prayer, confession, trust, believe, forgive, change, powerless, admit, Psalm 16,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #faith #pray #prayer #fear #confession #secrets #trust #believe #forgive #forgiveness #change #powerless #admit #Psalm16

#Woe to all of us – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

Woe to all of us,
who are blind to Christ,
The truth of His life
The truth of His love
His choice to come,
His choice to sacrifice...
 
Woe to all of us,
who have eyes but fail to see
The Messiah, our Savior,
entered time...
He laid down His life,
to save you and me...
 
Woe to all of us,
straying from the path,
blind to our choices,
when we stumble...
Turning our backs on Jesus
going another way...

-------------
Edited August 26, 2026
Woe to all of us – v2

Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Edited August 26, 2026
Tithing their spices – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/tithing-their-spices-v2.html
Matthew 23:23-25
Micah 6:8
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
Edited August 26, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/christ-tore-skin-from-their-flesh-v2.html
Matthew 23:13-15
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness

#Tithing their #spices – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

Their hypocrisy exposed
in these harsh words of Jesus
Tithing their spices
but failing to do justice,
Worrying about the trivial
but neglecting mercy,
Failing to be obedient,
to walk humbly with God...
 
Layer on layer of judgment,
the blind leading the blind
to death, to damnation,
False leaders straining out gnats
but consuming camels...
No room any longer for mercy
for these enemies of Jesus
Only condemnation...

-------------
Edited August 26, 2026
Tithing their spices – v2
 
Matthew 23:23-25
Micah 6:8
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
Edited August 26, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/christ-tore-skin-from-their-flesh-v2.html
Matthew 23:13-15
August 25, 2026
Woe to all of us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/woe-to-all-of-us.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness, condemnation,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

#Christ #tore the #skin from their #flesh – v2 #poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation

“You shut the gates of heaven...”
“You do not enter in and
You deny others entry...”
A death sentence for hypocrites
barring others from salvation
through their false teachings
failing to see Christ before them -
Blind to their hypocrisy -
their denying of others....
Holding on to their Law,
but failing humanity...
 
Hear the terror of Jesus...
these words of utter condemnation
judging these false teachers,
leading sheep from the shepherd
to death, to destruction...
Christ tore the skin from their flesh
because he knew their hearts
shattering the lie of their lives
condemning them to death
to eternal damnation
for the choices they made...

-------------
Edited August 26, 2026
Christ tore the skin from their flesh – v2
 
Matthew 23:13-15
Matthew 16:9
Matthew 23:13-26
Sermon: “The Blindness of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
August 25, 2026
Tithing their spices
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/tithing-their-spices.html
Matthew 23:23-25
Micah 6:8
August 25, 2026
Woe to all of us
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/woe-to-all-of-us.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 25, 2026
Father, open our eyes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/father-open-our-eyes.html
Matthew 23:13-26
August 17, 2026
Dying for Hypocrites
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/dying-for-hypocrites.html
Matthew 23:1-12
Sermon: “The Burden of Hypocrisy”
by Peter Hubbard
North Hills Church
Series on Matthew 23
Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:27-36
Matthew 23:37-39
July 27, 2026
where Christ is not known
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/where-christ-is-not-known.html
sermon, “Victory Over the Darkness”
Matthew 27:45-54
North Hills Church
July 27, 2026
Before the Age will end
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/before-age-will-end.html
Series: Jesus in Dark Places
Matthew 28:18-20
 
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, Matthew 23, hypocrisy, blindness, condemnation,
 
#poetry #God #Christ #Spirit #love #grace #Matthew23 #hypocrisy #blindness #condemnation