The #Holodomor is now – v2 #Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Oleshky #Holodomor

Shame on us all,
for standing silent –
Genocide in Europe –
Starving a city, a people,
When we could stop this,
When we could act...
 
Writing these words in history
on days when we remember Babyn Yar,
The Holocaust, the same evil -
Genocide in Europe -
written in Ukraine right now...
 
Repeating, even though we promised
Genocide in Europe -
The Holodomor is now
not just in history
but written today in Oleshky...
 
“Never again!” we told them -
Genocide in Europe -
the same enemy, evil,
starving a whole people
the captives in Oleshky...
 
Our indifference is evil –
Genocide in Europe –
standing silent when we could act
when we could stop the deaths
the Holodomor in Oleshky...
 
Shout for justice, for relief –
Genocide in Europe –
If only Oleshky was a singularity...
We told them “Never Again!”...
but “Never Again” is now...
 
We stand silent, unmoved,
when we have the power to act
to end this starvation, this torture -
Genocide in Europe -
of a city, a people, a nation,
when evil is on the march...
 
--------
Edited October 2, 2026
The Holodomor is now – v2
 
Edited September 27, 2026
They will rise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/they-will-rise-v2.html
after Twelve Years of War
Edited August 11, 2026
the dust of Pokrovsk – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-dust-of-pokrovsk-v2.html
Edited December 1, 2025
The blood of the dead in Bucha – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-v7.html
December 27, 2024
Russia must be defeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/.../russia-must-be...
December 27, 2024
Hybrid War
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/hybrid-war.html
Edited December 24, 2024
There is only one Enemy, Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/there-is-one-enemy-russia-v3.html
Edited November 11, 2024
Attrition – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/attrition-v3.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2_27.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
A death sentence – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-death-sentence-2-v2_26.html
Written and posted October 12, 2024
In the crucible of war – 2 – v1
Typed October 17, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-crucible-of-war-2-v1_25.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Bucha, Irpin, Izium, Mariupol, terror, genocide, Oleshky, Holodomor
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Oleshky #Holodomor

The #Holodomor is now #Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Oleshky #Holodomor

Writing these words in history
On days when we remember Babyn Yar,
The Holocaust, the same evil -
Genocide in Europe -
Written in Ukraine right now...
 
Repeating even though we promised
Genocide in Europe -
The Holodomor is now
Not just in history
But written today in Oleshky...
 
Never again we told them -
Genocide in Europe -
The same enemy, evil,
Starving a whole people
The captives in Oleshky...
 
Our indifference is evil –
Genocide in Europe –
Standing silent when we could act
When we could stop the deaths
The Holodomor in Oleshky...
 
Shout for justice, for relief –
Genocide in Europe –
If only Oleshky was a singularity...
We told them Never Again...
But Never Again is now...
 
--------
September 30, 2026
The Holodomor is now
 
Edited September 27, 2026
They will rise – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/they-will-rise-v2.html
after Twelve Years of War
Edited August 11, 2026
the dust of Pokrovsk – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-dust-of-pokrovsk-v2.html
Edited December 1, 2025
The blood of the dead in Bucha – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha-v7.html
December 27, 2024
Russia must be defeated
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/.../russia-must-be...
December 27, 2024
Hybrid War
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/hybrid-war.html
Edited December 24, 2024
There is only one Enemy, Russia – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/there-is-one-enemy-russia-v3.html
Edited December 4, 2024
There is but one fight – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/there-is-but-one-fight-v2.html
Edited December 3, 2024
They fight the very same Evil – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/12/they-fight-very-same-evil-v2.html
November 24, 2024
So incredibly sad that Ukraine is fighting the same terror and genocide today, that caused the Holodomor, the same Evil of Russia, and the world believes Russia can ever be negotiated with... Russia must be defeated.
Edited November 11, 2024
Attrition – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/attrition-v3.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
In this moment of madness – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-this-moment-of-madness-v2_27.html
Edited and posted October 17, 2024
A death sentence – 2 – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-death-sentence-2-v2_26.html
Written and posted October 12, 2024
In the crucible of war – 2 – v1
Typed October 17, 2024
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/in-crucible-of-war-2-v1_25.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Bucha, Irpin, Izium, Mariupol, terror, genocide, Oleshky, Holodomor
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #US #NATO #EU #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Oleshky #Holodomor

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

“a long night ahead”
 
a scene far too familiar, nightly,
parents whispering in the darkness,
trying not to frighten their children,
families huddled wherever they could,
in the metro, the bathtub, in the bomb shelters...
trying to stay safe, whatever that means…
“a long night ahead”,
a phrase too often repeated,
sounds of terror, of missiles, of drones,
of air raid sirens, of defenses firing, a staccato,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them, Ukraine…
 
a nation in peril, on edge,
on guard for what is coming,
incessant terror, so unjust...
words of truth, an understatement,
not sleeping in their beds…
sleeping in bomb shelters,
in bathtubs, strong corridors,
“a long night ahead”,
Russia’s rain/reign of terror unending
premeditated murder, mayhem,
the danger of Russian genocide
ever present with them…
 
there is no stillness, only fear, anticipation,
millions on edge, not sleeping...
quiet shattered too quickly, terror,
missiles sent to destroy them
listening to whistles of the Shaheds…
more than fatigue, despair gripping,
cameras, bodies shaking, flared nostrils
of the influencers recording their truth,
“a long night ahead”, years now
of anguish, of nightly genocide...
screaming into the abyss...
no longer wanting to be brave…
 
---------------
Edited September 7, 2026
A phrase too often repeated – v3
 
Edited September 5, 2026
An artificial heartbeat – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/an-artificial-heartbeat-v2.html
Edited August 31, 2026
A long night ahead – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-long-night-ahead-v4.html
constant attack on Kyiv, on far too many cities in Ukraine
Posted September 2, 2026
Edited August 24, 2025
constant bombardment – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/09/constant-bombardment-v2.html
Edited June 20, 2025
may your cries of pain – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/may-your-cries-of-pain-v2.html
Edited June 19, 2025
no longer wanting to be brave – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-longer-wanting-to-be-brave-v2.html
Edited June 17, 2025
a long night ahead – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/a-long-night-ahead_17.html
Edited June 9, 2025
Escalation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/escalation-v2.html  
Edited June 8, 2025
premeditated murder – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/06/premeditated-murder-v2.html
Edited May 30, 2025
Why are we silent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/05/why-are-we-silent-v2.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, poem, Ukraine, US, NATO, EU, terror, America, genocide, Stand With Ukraine, drones, Russia, Putin, Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, ballistic missiles, sirens, air raid alerts,
 
#poetry #poem #Ukraine #terror #genocide #Russia #StandWithUkraine #ArmUkraine #DefeatRussia #Kyiv #Kramatorsk #Odesa #Kharkiv #ballisticmissiles #drones #sirens

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

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

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

the dust of #Pokrovsk - v2 #Poetry #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #ArmUkraine #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Vovchansk #Pokrovsk

The dust of Pokrovsk
the same as the dust of Aleppo
The choice of the world
was to remain silent...
 
The same enemy stalks the world,
The same evil is on the march,
The same as the Holodomor, the gulags...
The age of tyrants must end;
Freedom must take its place...
 
Far Too Many Cities in Ukraine
have been reduced to ash and rubble
When our indifference is inaction
when we could act...
 
Our complacency is complicity...
Ours is an immoral choice -
There is no neutrality in genocide -
We fail to stand with them
in the breach, in the gap...
 
They needed more than our words,
our promises when we would not keep them...
They needed us to stand with them
to fight for their victory...
 
History will be written
in the dust, in their black soil,
when our indifference was inaction
when we could have stood with them
the brave people of Ukraine...
 
===================
Edited August 11, 2026
the dust of Pokrovsk – v2
 
Edited October 27, 2025
Only rubble – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/only-rubble-v2.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
Day of the Ukrainian Land Forces
April 4, 2022
The blood of the dead in Bucha
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha.html
Edited November 19, 2023
Crying for Crimea, for Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/crying-for-crimea-for-ukraine-v2_19.html
Edited March 31, 2024
Ukraine must Win – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/ukraine-must-win-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, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, Slava Ukraini, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Arm Ukraine Now, Bucha, Irpin, Izium, Mariupol, terror, genocide, Pokrovsk, Aleppo,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #ArmUkraine #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Vovchansk #Pokrovsk

the dust of Pokrovsk #Poetry #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #ArmUkraine #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Vovchansk #Pokrovsk

the dust of Pokrovsk
the dust of Aleppo
the choice of the world
to remain silent...
 
far too many cities
reduced to ash and rubble
when indifference is inaction
when we could act...
 
complacency is complicity,
an immoral choice
failing to stand with them
in the breach, in the gap...
 
history will be written
in the dust, in the black soil,
when our indifference was inaction
when we could have stood with them
the brave people of Ukraine...
 
===================
August 10, 2026
the dust of Pokrovsk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ijaP2XsPSc
Edited October 27, 2025
Only rubble – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/only-rubble-v2.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
Day of the Ukrainian Land Forces
April 4, 2022
The blood of the dead in Bucha
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-blood-of-dead-in-bucha.html
Edited November 19, 2023
Crying for Crimea, for Ukraine – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/11/crying-for-crimea-for-ukraine-v2_19.html
Edited March 31, 2024
Ukraine must Win – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/03/ukraine-must-win-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, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, Slava Ukraini, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Arm Ukraine Now, Bucha, Irpin, Izium, Mariupol, terror, genocide, Pokrovsk, Aleppo,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #ArmUkraine #Bucha #Irpin #Isium #Mariupol #terror #genocide #toretsk #Vuhledar #Rubizhne #Bakhmut #Avdiivka #ChasivYar #Soledar #Kherson #Kyiv #Odesa #BuchaMassacre #BuchaGenocide #Vovchansk #Pokrovsk

#Ukraine must #Win – v7 #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #LetUkraineWin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine

We are at another inflection point,
another turn of the dial, the ratchet,
The level of horror has risen, closer,
too many major cities as targets,
of terror, of Russia’s genocide…
The one essential truth that matters,
is that Ukraine must win…
 
Language is important in this fight,
words and prayers, self-defeating,
partners must not be so stilted…
In this moment, this struggle,
The goal must be victory,
In the war that is raging,
Ukraine must win…
 
The West seems more than happy,
to let Russia become degraded,
to destroy military assets,
to kill more of their people,
to arm Ukraine not to fail,
to bleed in their struggle…
But Ukraine must win…
 
What would this war look like?
What arms would the West offer?
If their goal was Ukraine’s victory,
That Ukraine must win,
defeat Russia now, today,
in the way we would fight,
to end the awful slaughter…
 
Ukraine must win, more than just maintaining,
In the battles they are now facing, the fronts,
Twelve years is more than enough, too much,
exhausted, broken, but resolute…
Under the boot of imperial terror
more than a proxy, our ally,
Ukraine must win, today…
 
The United States, the West, NATO,
must support Ukraine in its mission,
not fearing escalation, but remembering,
Bucha, Mariupol, Irpin, Kharkiv, Kherson, so many places…
So close to the border, to chaos, the missiles,
wherever Russia is unleashing terror,
Yes, Ukraine must win… starting today…
 
----------
Edited June 25, 2026
Ukraine must win – v7
 
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, Slava Ukraini, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Let Ukraine Win, Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, terror, genocide,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #LetUkraineWin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine

sharply-worded #pablum – v2 #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #glory #defenders #justice #peace #hybridwar #drones #words #appeasement #NATO #EU #USA

undercut by weasel words
elegant diplomatic puffery,
promising far more than delivered,
afraid of threats, red lines...
 
mealy-mouthed language 
empty condemnation 
Sharply worded pablum 
in response to attacks...
 
after twelve years of war
four years after invasion 
Red lines must have consequences 
not endless empty words...
 
Sharply worded pablum 
is of no meaning...
only arms, sanctions, 
will blunt these attacks...
 
escalation happens 
when appeasement happens
Empty words only foster 
ever greater attacks...
 
----------------
Edited June 3, 2026
Sharply-worded pablum – v2
 
June 1, 2026
sharply-worded pablum
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/sharply-worded-pablum.html
empty responses to Russia's 
drone strikes in Romania 
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)
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!
 
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, NATO, European Union, EU, United States, appeasement, defenders, justice, peace, hybrid war, drones, weasel words,

#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #glory #defenders #justice #peace #hybridwar #drones #words #appeasement #NATO #EU #USA

sharply-worded #pablum #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #glory #defenders #justice #peace #hybridwar #drones #words #appeasement #NATO #EU #USA #Europe #Georgia #Romania #Poland

mealy-mouthed language 
empty condemnation 
sharply-worded pablum 
in response to attacks...
 
after twelve years of war
four years after invasion 
red lines must have consequences 
not empty words...
 
sharply worded pablum 
is of no meaning...
only arms, sanctions, 
will blunt these attacks...
 
escalation happens 
when appeasement happens
empty words only foster 
greater attacks...
 
----------------
June 1, 2026
sharply-worded pablum
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/sharply-worded-pablum.html
empty responses to Russia's 
drone strikes in Romania 
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)
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, NATO, European Union, EU, United States, appeasement, defenders, justice, peace, hybrid war, drones, weasel words,

#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #victory #glory #defenders #justice #peace #hybridwar #drones #words #appeasement #NATO #EU #USA

#Ukraine must #Win – v6 #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #LetUkraineWin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine

We are at another inflection point,
another turn of the dial, the ratchet,
The level of horror has risen, closer,
too many major cities as targets,
of terror, of Russia’s genocide…
The one essential truth that matters,
is that Ukraine must win…
 
Language is important in this fight,
words and prayers, self-defeating,
partners must not be so stilted…
In this moment, this struggle,
The goal must be victory,
In the war that is raging,
Ukraine must win…
 
The West seems more than happy,
to let Russia become degraded,
to destroy military assets,
to kill more of their people,
to arm Ukraine not to fail,
to bleed in their struggle…
But Ukraine must win…
 
What would this war look like?
What arms would the West offer?
If their goal was Ukraine’s victory,
That Ukraine must win,
defeat Russia now, today,
in the way we would fight,
to end the awful slaughter…
 
Ukraine must win, more than just maintaining,
In the battles they are now facing, the fronts,
Eleven years is more than enough, too much,
exhausted, broken, but resolute…
Under the boot of imperial terror
more than a proxy, our ally,
Ukraine must win, today…
 
The United States, the West, NATO,
must support Ukraine in its mission,
not fearing escalation, but remembering,
Bucha, Mariupol, Irpin, Kharkiv, Kherson, so many places…
So close to the border, to chaos, the missiles,
wherever Russia is unleashing terror,
Yes, Ukraine must win… starting today…
 
----------
Edited December 2, 2025
Ukraine must win – v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/ukraine-must-win-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, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, country, people, Slava Ukraini, US, NATO, EU, proxy, Let Ukraine Win, Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, terror, genocide,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #SlavaUkraini #US #NATO #EU #LetUkraineWin #terror #genocide #StandWithUkraine