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

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 

#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

#Innovation #chains #empire #tyrant #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland #drones

Creativity, innovation,
starting from nothing
handcuffed by allies...
changing the course of history
The way of modern war...
 
Like America after Pearl Harbor,
Ukraine after the full-scale invasion -
All hands on deck...
in garages and basements
A new war would rise...
 
Everyone an inventor,
a creator of a drone army
through innovation and necessity
filling critical gaps in manpower...
A emergent new strategy...
 
The Age of Drones emerging,
UAVs and UGVs, missiles,
rising from Ukraine’s black soil
Innovation will save them...
Heroes one and all...
 
--------
July 10, 2026
Innovation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/innovation.html
Edited July 1, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire - v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/breaking-chains-of-empire-v2.html
June 30, 2022 – Liberation of Snake Island
June 30, 1941 – Act of Restoration of the Ukrainian State
1721 – Muscovy taking the name Russia
June 30, 2022 – Liberation of Snake Island
June 30, 1941 – Act of Restoration of the Ukrainian State
1721 – Muscovy taking the name Russia
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
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”
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, serfdom, muse, drones, Crimea, Snake Island,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland #drones

Breaking the #chains of #empire - v2 #tyrant #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland

Slowly, but then all of a sudden

Loosing the grip of the tyrant...

Breaking the chains of empire

fetters on their hearts...

Grains falling into the hourglass

faithful steps unfolding...

that which was planned for centuries

coming to vivid life...

A dream of freedom, legacy,

reclaiming their ancient glory...

They stand resolute, united

in this their victory...

Attrition is by inches

leading to a tipping point...

Will is stronger than size 

in their current fight...

Breaking the chains of empire

making them bleed with a thousand cuts...

Freedom is inevitable

when their work is done...

---------- 

Edited July 1, 2026

Breaking the chains of empire - v2

June 30, 2022 – Liberation of Snake Island

June 30, 1941 – Act of Restoration of the Ukrainian State

1721 – Muscovy taking the name Russia

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 

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”

#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland

#Taras saw this #future – v4 #prophet #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland

Taras shed blood for his nation’s colors,
He sang the song of Ukraina...
He was so much a part of Ukraine,
Her heartbeat was ever within him,
though he was far from her,
He was forever Ukraine ...
 
He flew to her from his prison,
His thoughts were ever with her...
His words are prophetic, prescient,
Taras saw this future, this moment...
He is the Kobzar, the Prophet,
He foresaw the victory of Ukraine...
 
Taras wept for Ukraine,
in his Dream, in his Testament...
He saw, he knew her weakness,
the weakness of her leaders
who obeyed the Moskals,
ransoming her legacy, her destiny…
 
Taras knew serfdom, the yoke
of sin and enslavement by the Tsar...
But he foresaw his beloved people,
united in this great struggle...
He predicted the victory of Ukraine
over Moskal’s horde…
 
So, sing songs of the Kobzar,
Read his cry for freedom,
join with his prophecy, glory...
His words are a prayer over Ukraina,
Rising from the ashes of war...
Hope, in her victory’s song…
 
--------  
Edited June 30, 2026
Taras saw this future – v4
 
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”
June 30, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/breaking-chains-of-empire.html
June 30, 2022 – Liberation of Snake Island
June 30, 1941 – Act of Restoration of the Ukrainian State
1721 – Muscovy taking the name Russia
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.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, serfdom, muse, prison, Crimea, Snake Island,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Breaking the #chains of #empire #tyrant #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland

Slowly, then all of a sudden
the grip of the tyrant...
Breaking the chains of empire
the fetters on their hearts...
 
Grains falling into the hourglass
faithful steps unfolding
that which was planned for centuries
coming to vivid life...
 
A dream of freedom, legacy,
reclaiming their ancient glory...
Standing resolute, united
in this their victory...
 
Breaking the chains of empire
bleeding with a thousand cuts...
Freedom is inevitable
when their work is done...
 
----------
June 30, 2026
Breaking the chains of empire

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/breaking-chains-of-empire.html
June 30, 2022 – Liberation of Snake Island
June 30, 1941 – Act of Restoration of the Ukrainian State
1721 – Muscovy taking the name Russia
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
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”
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, serfdom, muse, prison, Crimea,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea

Don’t give #Ukraine to the #Madman – v7 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #freedom #independence #history #invasion #fouryears #1000Days #NATO #Putin #fear #death #Kyiv #Crimea #StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState

Our prayer repeating, recurring, urgent,
Frozen in time, unresolved, waiting,
a nation in rubble, burning, forgotten,
standing on its own, too long...
Fighting for democracy…
Don’t let evil win, be triumphant,
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
It will not be the end of his dreams…
 
Our silence crying out, longing,
Our prayer repeating this day,
to retake the stage, the breath,
to join them in their fight…
Evil only understands threat/ resolve,
his card of nuclear Armageddon…
The West cowed once again….
A rabid Bear on the march…
 
His dreams of conquest, an empire,
The lies of his own propaganda,
destruction of just one nation, Ukraine,
isn’t the end of his mission, his purpose,
His cry for ancient blood…
His fevered quest is much greater,...
We must stop him now, here,
before he kills, and kills again…
 
-------
Edited June 25, 2026
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman – v7
 
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.html
edited March 6, 2022
The man in the bunker – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-man-in-bunker-v2.html
March 5, 2022
The man in the bunker
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-man-in-bunker.html
February 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/dhakar_puneet/status/1498385709627224065
Ukraine Ambassador to United Nations
extracts of his speech to the General Assembly
 
March 4, 2022
International law means nothing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/international-law-means-nothing.html
March 4, 2022
A brutal heartless murderer
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-brutal-heartless-murderer.html
edited February 28, 2022
In the crucible of terror – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-crucible-of-terror-v5.html
edited February 27, 2022
A run on the banks – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-run-on-banks-v3.html
edited February 26, 2022
The insanity of these minutes – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-insanity-of-these-minutes-v2.html
February 25, 2022
The insanity of these minutes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-insanity-of-these-minutes.html
my second poem about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
on the second day of the invasion
February 25, 2022
In the crucible of terror
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-crucible-of-terror.html
My first poem about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
February 24, 2022
On the 2nd day of the full-scale invasion…
February 25, 2022
Signs of the End Times
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/signs-of-end-times.html
"Signs of the End Times" was trying to make sense of what was happening,
with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022,
but not just the full-scale invasion, and it is in my Published poems folder on
my desktop, but it truly was in real-time, me trying to understand how
the full-scale invasion could be happening.
 
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, 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, invasion, four years, NATO, Putin, fear, death, Kyiv, Crimea,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #freedom #independence #history #invasion #fouryears #1000Days #NATO #Putin #fear #death #Kyiv #Crimea #StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState

#Justice must come – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin

History will judge us for what we did,
for what we failed to do...
There will be a reconning, judgment,
There must be no forgetting, no forgiveness,
There must be no safe harbor for the aggressors...
 
Russia must stand trial for every war crime
for each crime against humanity in Ukraine,
for every stolen child, every attack,
for every Ukrainian POW tortured
or murdered in Russian captivity,
for each cultural artifact taken or destroyed...
 
There must be Justice for every victim,
For every survivor, for all who mourn...
There must be no safe harbor for the guilty...
Never Forget. Never Forgive,
Justice must come to Ukraine...
No matter how long it takes...
 
--------------
Edited March 21, 2026
Justice must come – v2
 
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine,
Endless war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Edited February 17, 2026
Scorched Earth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/scorched-earth-v2.html
Based on #Habakkuk1:5-11
Based on Habakkuk 1:2a
Based on Habakkuk 1:1-11
Sermon by Nate Labadorf
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine, and their destruction
of cities and villages throughout Ukraine.
Edited February 16, 2026
eating like locusts – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/eating-like-locusts-v2.html
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine, and their destruction
of cities and villages throughout Ukraine.
Edited February 14, 2026
touching bleeding flesh – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v3.html
on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
and the thirty-fifth anniversary of my father’s black-ice fatal car accident, February 14, 1991.
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
February 14, 2026
Days turned to Years
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/days-have-turned-to-years.html
On the Fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, February 24, 2026
Edited February 13, 2026
touching bleeding flesh – v2 – defender
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2-written-by.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 13, 2026
The Cost of Dignity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-cost-of-dignity-v2.html
 Ukraine Olympic flagbearer and Skeleton slider, Vladyslav Heraskevych, and helmet of honor
Edited December 28, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/echoes-of-metronome-v3.html
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence
 
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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Four Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,  Stand With Ukraine, full-scale invasion,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin

#Dignity, #existence – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin #MomentofHonor #Вшануй #IrynaTsybukh #dignity

For dignity, existence
Safety within their borders
the right to sovereignty
for all of Ukraine...
 
They were invaded, conquered,
subjugated as before,
but this time, they are standing up
on the front lines, in the streets...
 
They stand on remembrance,
remembering their fallen -
all who have suffered
against Russia’s genocide...
 
They are standing, united,
one resolute people -
They will prevail
when dignity is won...
 
-------
Edited March 21, 2026
Dignity, existence – v2
 
The Heavenly Hundred heroes, the protesters killed during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity
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.blogDignity, existence – v2
 
For dignity, existence
Safety within their borders
the right to sovereignty
for all of Ukraine...
 
They were invaded, conquered,
subjugated as before,
but this time, they are standing up
on the front lines, in the streets...
 
They stand on remembrance,
remembering their fallen -
all who have suffered
against Russia’s genocide...
 
They are standing, united,
one resolute people -
They will prevail
when dignity is won...
 
-------
Edited March 21, 2026
Dignity, existence – v2
 
The Heavenly Hundred heroes, the protesters killed during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity
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/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
 
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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Four Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,  Stand With Ukraine, full-scale invasion, Вшануй,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin #MomentofHonor #Вшануй #IrynaTsybukh #dignity

Every. Single. Day. – v2 #poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin #OlenaIvanenko #MomentofHonor #Вшануй

Each Moment of Honor,
A Moment of Silence...
Their world stands still
As the metronome wails,
For each of the fallen...
Prayers, Cries of a Nation
Standing together to honor,
Remembering their dead...
Every. Single. Day.
 
At 9 AM, Вшануй, Honor,
Stopping their lives,
Coming together...
Standing in the snow
In the rain, the sun, rising,
Honoring their Fallen,
All of them united,
In remembrance, in love...
Every. Single. Day.
 
-------
Edited March 21, 2026
Every. Single. Day. – v2
 
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/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited December 28, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/echoes-of-metronome-v3.html
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence
Edited December 23, 2025
no minute of silence – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/no-minute-of-silence-v3.html
based on an Instagram post by Julia Kochetova,
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRH98GHiKSp/  
June 4, 2025
to remember the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-remember-dead.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/
2,000 participants remembered fallen combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh,
who died May 29, 2024, days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited May 22, 2025
You hold each of them so closely – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v2.html
video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainian women defenders making Ukrainian Easter eggs with a picture of combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh on the table.
 
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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Four Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,  Stand With Ukraine, full-scale invasion, Вшануй,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin #OlenaIvanenko #MomentofHonor #Вшануй

#Unity #poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin #MomentofHonor #Вшануй #IrynaTsybukh #dignity #AnnaDanylchuk #unity

One common purpose,
Unity defines them,
One spirit together,
One hope in this time...
Unity must define us,
To win this fight,
Good versus evil,
David versus Goliath,
Asymmetric warfare
 
Their dignity, their existence
To safe in their borders
The right to sovereignty
All of Ukraine is Ukraine...
Invaded, conquered,
Like under the Tsar, subjugated...
But this time they are standing up
On the front lines, in the streets...
 
They are humanity, united,
remembering the fallen
Remembrance, always
all who have suffered
against Russia’s genocide...
They are standing, united,
Become a resolute people,
They will prevail, together,
When dignity is won...
 
-------
Edited/new name  February 25, 2026
Unity
 
February 24, 2026 (Fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion)
RUSSIA COLLAPSE: PUTIN’S BIGGEST FAILURE Vlog 1330: War in Ukraine
https://youtu.be/xWK3b5zJS-A?si=E0PvX7YzjsF9rmyh
From post by Anna Danylchuk
(Anna from Ukraine)
February 20, 2026
Dignity, existence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/dignity-existence.html
The Heavenly Hundred heroes, the protesters killed during Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity
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/
where 2,000 participants remembered fallen
combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh, who died May 29, 2024,
days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited February 17, 2026
The present memory of that day – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v3.html
Memory of February 24, 2022,
the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion,
as described by a defender of Ukraine
on February 25, 2025
February 17, 2026
Justice must come
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/justice-must-come.html
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine,
Endless war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Edited February 17, 2026
Scorched Earth – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/scorched-earth-v2.html
Based on #Habakkuk1:5-11
Based on Habakkuk 1:2a
Based on Habakkuk 1:1-11
Sermon by Nate Labadorf
Griggs Memorial Baptist Church
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine, and their destruction
of cities and villages throughout Ukraine.
Edited February 16, 2026
eating like locusts – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/eating-like-locusts-v2.html
Russia’s full scale-invasion of Ukraine, and their destruction
of cities and villages throughout Ukraine.
Edited February 14, 2026
touching bleeding flesh – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v3.html
on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
and the thirty-fifth anniversary of my father’s black-ice fatal car accident, February 14, 1991.
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
"The present memory of that day" is both 2/24/2022 for Ukraine and Ukrainians
and 2/14/1991 for me personally. I am using my experience of detailed visceral
images of lifting the blood and brains of my father to give even a touch of
authenticity to this poem, merging my conversation with one defender and
the words of that other defender yesterday to write "touching bleeding flesh "
February 14, 2026
Days turned to Years
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/days-have-turned-to-years.html
On the Fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, February 24, 2026
Edited February 13, 2026
touching bleeding flesh – v2 – defender
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2-written-by.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 13, 2026
The Cost of Dignity – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-cost-of-dignity-v2.html
 Ukraine Olympic flagbearer and Skeleton slider, Vladyslav Heraskevych, and helmet of honor
Edited December 28, 2025
echoes of the metronome – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/echoes-of-metronome-v3.html
during Moment of Honor (Вшануй), at 9:00am daily in Ukraine
https://www.threads.com/@moment_of_honor
https://www.facebook.com/momentofhonor/
https://www.instagram.com/moment_of_honor/
“We are a team that promotes the Minute of Silence
Edited December 23, 2025
no minute of silence – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/no-minute-of-silence-v3.html
based on an Instagram post by Julia Kochetova,
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRH98GHiKSp/
Edited August 20, 2025
Flying from every flagpole – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/08/flying-from-every-flagpole-v5.html
June 4, 2025
to remember the dead
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-remember-dead.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/
2,000 participants remembered fallen combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh,
who died May 29, 2024, days before her 26^th birthday on June 1, 2024.
Edited May 22, 2025
You hold each of them so closely – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/you-hold-each-of-them-so-closely-v2.html
video (https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlbX7MtEjg/) of Ukrainian women defenders making Ukrainian Easter eggs with a picture of combat medic Iryna "Cheka" Tsybukh on the table.
Edited April 4, 2025
sisters in arms – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/04/sisters-in-arms-v3.html
written after reading post by defender of Ukraine about serving as
a woman in the army, for International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025
February 27, 2025
touching bleeding flesh
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-defender.html
(written by a decorated medic on the front lines in Ukraine)
Edited February 26, 2025
touching bleeding flesh – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/touching-bleeding-flesh-v2.html
Edited February 26, 2025
The present memory of that day – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-present-memory-of-that-day-v2.html
February 25, 2025
Memory of February 24, 2022
as described by a defender of Ukraine, in uniform since 2013.
edited February 15, 2025
Three years of terror, of genocide – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/02/three-years-of-terror-genocide-v2.html
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.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, Russia, NATO, war, invasion, Putin, terror, genocide, Crimea, 1000 Days, Four Years, Europe, Zelenskyy, Trump,  Stand With Ukraine, full-scale invasion, Вшануй, Anna Danylchuk, unity,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #Russia #NATO #war #invasion #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine #FourYears #Europe #Zelenskyy #Trump #Putin #MomentofHonor #Вшануй #IrynaTsybukh #dignity #AnnaDanylchuk #unity
 
--------------
poetry, Ukraine, defenders, victory, peace, Stand With Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes, culture, identity, unity, love, spirit, legacy, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, Pysanky, Vyshyvanka,
 
#poetry #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Defenders #Victory #Peace #GlorytotheHeroes #culture #identity #unity #love #spirit #legacy #TarasShevchenko #Ukrainian #ChekaFest #Vyshyvanka #IrynaTsybukh #Cheka #OlenaIvanenko

Don’t give #Ukraine to the #Madman – v6 #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #freedom #independence #history #invasion #fouryears #1000Days #NATO #Putin #fear #death #Kyiv #Crimea #StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState

Our prayer repeating, recurring, urgent,
Frozen in time, unresolved, waiting,
a nation in rubble, burning, forgotten,
standing on its own, too long,
Fighting for democracy…
Don’t let evil win, be triumphant,
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
It will not be the end of his dreams…
 
Our silence crying out, longing,
Our prayer repeating this day,
to retake the stage, the breath,
to join them in their fight…
Evil only understands threat/ resolve,
his card of nuclear Armageddon…
The West cowed once again….
A rabid Bear on the march…
 
His dreams of conquest, an empire,
The lies of his own propaganda,
destruction of just one nation, Ukraine,
isn’t the end of his mission, his purpose,
His cry for ancient blood…
His fevered quest is much greater,
We must stop him now, here,
before he kills, and kills again…
 
-------
Edited February 24, 2026
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman – v6
 
Fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
March 5, 2022
Don’t give Ukraine to the Madman
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/dont-give-ukraine-to-madman.html
edited March 6, 2022
The man in the bunker – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-man-in-bunker-v2.html
March 5, 2022
The man in the bunker
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-man-in-bunker.html
February 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/dhakar_puneet/status/1498385709627224065
Ukraine Ambassador to United Nations
extracts of his speech to the General Assembly
 
March 4, 2022
International law means nothing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/international-law-means-nothing.html
March 4, 2022
A brutal heartless murderer
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-brutal-heartless-murderer.html
edited February 28, 2022
In the crucible of terror – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-crucible-of-terror-v5.html
edited February 27, 2022
A run on the banks – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-run-on-banks-v3.html
edited February 26, 2022
The insanity of these minutes – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-insanity-of-these-minutes-v2.html
February 25, 2022
The insanity of these minutes
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-insanity-of-these-minutes.html
my second poem about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
on the second day of the invasion
February 25, 2022
In the crucible of terror
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-crucible-of-terror.html
My first poem about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
February 24, 2022
On the 2nd day of the full-scale invasion…
February 25, 2022
Signs of the End Times
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/signs-of-end-times.html
"Signs of the End Times" was trying to make sense of what was happening,
with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022,
but not just the full-scale invasion, and it is in my Published poems folder on
my desktop, but it truly was in real-time, me trying to understand how
the full-scale invasion could be happening.
 
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, 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, invasion, four years, NATO, Putin, fear, death, Kyiv, Crimea,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #freedom #independence #history #invasion #fouryears #1000Days #NATO #Putin #fear #death #Kyiv #Crimea #StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsATerroristState