May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine – v4 #poetry #Faith #Family #flowers #God #hope #prayer #Ukraine #StandwithUkraine #VictoryforUkraine #blue #yellow #flag #wheat #sunflowers #sky

May this war come to an end
with freedom for these people
the brave men and women,
for all the children of this land
Awash in blue and yellow…
 
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine
May there be a great grain harvest
may they be able to return, to rebuild,
In peace, soon, in their homeland
Awash in blue and yellow…
 
May peace take root, firmly planted
in their rich, dark soil, this earth,
May they walk in their lives freed
from aggression, in their homeland
Awash in blue and yellow…
 
================  
Edited December 1, 2025
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine – v4
 
…unfortunately, more than 1,200 days after I drafted
this prayer, the war continues…
March 24, 2022
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/may-sunflowers-bloom-in-ukraine.html
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
 
poetry, Faith, Family, flowers, God, hope, prayer, Ukraine, Stand with Ukraine, Victory for Ukraine, blue, yellow, flag, wheat, sunflowers, sky,
 
#poetry #Faith #Family #flowers #God #hope #prayer #Ukraine #StandwithUkraine #VictoryforUkraine #blue #yellow #flag #wheat #sunflowers #sky

May #sunflowers bloom in #Ukraine – v3

May this war come to an end
with freedom for these people
the brave men and women,
for all the children of this land
a sea of blue and yellow…
 
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine
may there be a great grain harvest
may they be able to return, to rebuild,
in peace, soon, in their homeland
a sea of blue and yellow…
 
May peace take root, firmly,
in their rich, dark soil, this earth,
may they walk in their lives freed
from aggression, in their homeland
a sea blue and yellow…
 
================  
Edited November 29, 2024
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine – v3
 
…unfortunately, more than 1,000 days after I drafted
this prayer, the war continues…
March 24, 2022
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/may-sunflowers-bloom-in-ukraine.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 and 2024. 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, Faith, Family, flowers, God, hope, prayer, Ukraine, Stand with Ukraine, Victory for Ukraine, blue, yellow, flag, wheat, sunflowers, sky,
 
#poetry #Faith #Family #flowers #God #hope #prayer #Ukraine #StandwithUkraine #VictoryforUkraine #blue #yellow #flag #wheat #sunflowers #sky

May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine – v2

May this war come to an end
with freedom for these people
the brave men and women,
for all the children of this land
a sea of blue and yellow.
 
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine
may there be a great grain harvest
may they be able to return, to rebuild,
in peace, soon, in their homeland
a sea of blue and yellow.
 
May peace take root, firmly,
in their rich, dark soil, this earth,
may they walk in their lives freed
from aggression, in their homeland
a sea blue and yellow…

 
================  
Edited August 30, 2024
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine – v2
 
…unfortunately, 2.5 years from when I drafted
This prayer, the war continues…
March 24, 2022
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/may-sunflowers-bloom-in-ukraine.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 and 2024. 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, Faith, Family, flowers, God, hope, prayer, Ukraine, Stand with Ukraine, Victory for Ukraine, blue, yellow, flag, wheat, sunflowers, sky,
 
#poetry #Faith #Family #flowers #God #hope #prayer #Ukraine #StandwithUkraine #VictoryforUkraine #blue #yellow #flag #wheat #sunflowers #sky

repost - The Banner of Freedom – v4

The colors of our country
How proudly they wave;
So much sacrifice
Freedom’s price to this day.
 
Our nation’s ideals
For this it stands tall;
That we would remember
The cost of Freedom’s call.
 
====

Repost – June 14, 2022

The Banner of Freedom – v4

 

edited September 11, 2015

The Banner of Freedom – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-banner-of-freedom-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-banner-of-freedom-v4_11.html

(editing version 2)

edited June 14, 2014

The Banner of Freedom – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-banner-of-freedom-v3.html

Flag Day

edited May 26, 2014

The Banner of Freedom – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-banner-of-freedom-v2.html

Memorial Day

June 14, 2010

The Banner of Freedom

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/06/banner-of-freedom.html

Flag Day

edited September 11, 2015

Raising the Colors – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4_11.html

(editing version 2)

September 11, 2015,

14^th anniversary of attacks of September 11, 2015

Edited September 11, 2012

new poem – “An Audible Gasp - 2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-audible-gasp-2.html

September 11, 2012

“A Gasp”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-gasp.html

written about my experience at

Franklin Pierce Law Center

Concord, NH

on September 11, 2001

in the TV lounge

where we all stayed, transfixed by the images

&

latest 20 poems about

September 11, 2001

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/September%2011

&

edited June 14, 2014

Raising the Colors – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/raising-colors-v3.html

Flag Day

edited May 26, 2014

Raising the Colors – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/raising-colors-v2.html

Memorial Day

August 14, 2009

Raising the Colors

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/raising-colors.html

8:03 AM; watching the raising of the US and POW/MIA flags

Hooksett Family Division Court

Hooksett, NH

In the park across from the court is a sign with the name

Rene Gagnon, the Hooksett resident

who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gagnon

 

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, and 2022. 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.

 

faith, God, America, patriotism, heroism, duty, honor, country, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Allenstown NH, poetry, love, war, history, justice, Flag Day, Memorial Day,

 

#faith #God #America #patriotism #heroism #duty #honor #country #UMC #AllenstownNH #poetry #love #war #history #justice #FlagDay #MemorialDay

 

=============

 

Faith, God, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, United Methodist, Lord, law, justice, God’s purpose, calling, September 11, America, tragedy, terror, forgiveness, never forget, children,

 

#Faith #God #America #tragedy #terror #hope #life #neverforget #children #September11 #Honor911

 

---------------

Poetry, America, Flag Day, Flag, honor, duty, patriotism,

 

#poetry #America #FlagDay #flag #honor #duty #patriotism

repost - Raising the Colors – v5

Running to one court, a quick filing,
before racing back to the office,
for a swallow of coffee, gathering papers
and another hearing at another court
that same day.
 
But between these, the motion of the day,
Stopping, pausing, watching;
Standing still, reverent,
for the raising of the colors
before the first courthouse.
 
A moment of reflection, pausing,
caught in the bright morning sun;
Time standing still;
Grateful for where I stand,
for the courage they showed.
 
====

edited December 30, 2015

Raising the Colors – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/raising-colors-v5.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/raising-colors-v5_30.html

(editing version 4)

edited September 11, 2015

Raising the Colors – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4_11.html

(editing version 2)

September 11, 2015,

14^th anniversary of attacks of September 11, 2015

Edited September 11, 2012

new poem – “An Audible Gasp - 2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-audible-gasp-2.html

September 11, 2012

“A Gasp”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-gasp.html

written about my experience at

Franklin Pierce Law Center

Concord, NH

on September 11, 2001

in the TV lounge

where we all stayed, transfixed by the images

&

latest 20 poems about

September 11, 2001

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/September%2011

&

edited June 14, 2014

Raising the Colors – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/raising-colors-v3.html

Flag Day

edited May 26, 2014

Raising the Colors – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/raising-colors-v2.html

Memorial Day

August 14, 2009

Raising the Colors

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/raising-colors.html

8:03 AM; watching the raising of the US and POW/MIA flags

Hooksett Family Division Court

Hooksett, NH

In the park across from the court is a sign with the name

Rene Gagnon, the Hooksett resident

who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gagnon

 

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, and 2022. 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.

 

faith, God, America, patriotism, heroism, duty, honor, country, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, poetry, love, war, history, justice, Flag Day, Memorial Day, Iwo Jima, Rene Gagnon, World War II,

 

#faith #God #America #patriotism #heroism #duty #honor #country #love #war #history #justice #FlagDay #MemorialDay #IwoJima #UMC

 

=============

 

Faith, God, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, United Methodist, Lord, law, justice, God’s purpose, calling, September 11, America, tragedy, terror, forgiveness, never forget, children,

 

#Faith #God #America #tragedy #terror #hope #life #neverforget #children #September11 #Honor911

 

 

---------------

Poetry, America, Flag Day, Flag, honor, duty, patriotism,

 

#poetry #America #FlagDay #flag #honor #duty #patriotism

May #sunflowers bloom in #Ukraine #SlavaUkraini #StandwithUkraine

May this war come to an end
with freedom for these people
the brave men and women,
for all the children of this land
a sea of blue and yellow.
 
May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine
may there be a great grain harvest
may they be able to return, to rebuild,
in peace, soon, in their homeland
a sea of blue and yellow.

================  

March 24, 2022

May sunflowers bloom in Ukraine

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/03/may-sunflowers-bloom-in-ukraine.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, and 2022. 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, Faith, Family, flowers, God, hope, prayer, Ukraine, Stand with Ukraine, Victory for Ukraine, blue, yellow, flag, wheat, sunflowers, sky,

 

#poetry #Faith #Family #flowers #God #hope #prayer #Ukraine #StandwithUkraine #VictoryforUkraine #blue #yellow #flag #wheat #sunflowers #sky

draped over her arm, her shoulder – v2

An early-morning ritual

done with reverence, honor

as I had seen before at court

in the same kind of gesture

in the way they raised our colors

our nation’s flag, in respect

in memory of the fallen

and those fighting yet.

Her body turned to the flag pole

pausing for a moment of reflection

getting ready to raise our colors

old glory in her hands

not touching the ground

showing our flag respect

the honor the fallen deserve

and those fighting yet.

Not just one flag but a second

a part of her daily ritual

the POW/MIA flag draped

over her arm, her shoulder

while she attached the hooks

ready to raise our nation’s flag

in memory of the fallen

and those fighting yet.

====  

edited August 24,2019

draped over her arm, her shoulder – v2

July 4, 2019

draped over her arm, her shoulder

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/07/draped-over-her-arm-her-shoulder.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1146774430359740416

July 3, 2019 8:15am

watching Cheryl Morse start to raise the US flag

at the Stacyville, ME post office, as we drove by,

and watching how she didn’t let that flag

of the POW/MIA flag touch the ground,

&

edited September 11, 2015

The Banner of Freedom – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-banner-of-freedom-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-banner-of-freedom-v4_11.html

(editing version 2)

edited June 14, 2014

The Banner of Freedom – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-banner-of-freedom-v3.html

Flag Day

edited May 26, 2014

The Banner of Freedom – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-banner-of-freedom-v2.html

Memorial Day

June 14, 2010

The Banner of Freedom

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/06/banner-of-freedom.html

Flag Day

edited September 11, 2015

Raising the Colors – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4_11.html

(editing version 2)

September 11, 2015,

14^th anniversary of attacks of September 11, 2015

Edited September 11, 2012

new poem – “An Audible Gasp - 2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-audible-gasp-2.html

September 11, 2012

“A Gasp”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-gasp.html

written about my experience at

Franklin Pierce Law Center

Concord, NH

on September 11, 2001

in the TV lounge

where we all stayed, transfixed by the images

&

latest 20 poems about

September 11, 2001

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/September%2011

&

edited June 14, 2014

Raising the Colors – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/raising-colors-v3.html

Flag Day

edited May 26, 2014

Raising the Colors – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/raising-colors-v2.html

Memorial Day

August 14, 2009

Raising the Colors

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/raising-colors.html

8:03 AM; watching the raising of the US and POW/MIA flags

Hooksett Family Division Court

Hooksett, NH

In the park across from the court is a sign with the name

Rene Gagnon, the Hooksett resident

who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gagnon

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 50,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

faith, God, America, patriotism, heroism, duty, honor, country, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Allenstown NH, poetry, love, war, history, justice, Flag Day, Memorial Day,

#faith #God #America #patriotism #heroism #duty #honor #country #UMC #AllenstownNH #poetry #love #war #history #justice #FlagDay #MemorialDay

=============

Faith, God, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, law, justice, God’s purpose, calling, September 11, America, tragedy, terror, forgiveness, never forget, children, fourth of July, Independence Day, 4^th of July #Declaration of Independence, flag,

#Faith #God #America #tragedy #terror #hope #life #neverforget #children #September11 #Honor911 #fourthofJuly #IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #DeclarationofIndependence #flag #UnitedStatesofAmerica

draped over her arm, her shoulder

Her body turned to the flag pole

getting ready to raise our colors

old glory in her hands

not touching the ground

showing our flag respect.

The POW/MIA flag

draped over her arm, her shoulder

while she attached the hooks

ready to raise our nation’s flag

to start another day.

====

July 4, 2019

draped over her arm

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2019/07/draped-over-her-arm-her-shoulder.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/1146774430359740416

July 3, 2019 8:15am

watching Cheryl Morse start to raise the US flag

at the Stacyville, ME post office, as we drove by,

and watching how she didn’t let that flag

of the POW/MIA flag touch the ground,

&

edited September 11, 2015

The Banner of Freedom – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-banner-of-freedom-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-banner-of-freedom-v4_11.html

(editing version 2)

edited June 14, 2014

The Banner of Freedom – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-banner-of-freedom-v3.html

Flag Day

edited May 26, 2014

The Banner of Freedom – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-banner-of-freedom-v2.html

Memorial Day

June 14, 2010

The Banner of Freedom

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2010/06/banner-of-freedom.html

Flag Day

edited September 11, 2015

Raising the Colors – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/09/raising-colors-v4_11.html

(editing version 2)

September 11, 2015,

14^th anniversary of attacks of September 11, 2015

Edited September 11, 2012

new poem – “An Audible Gasp - 2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-audible-gasp-2.html

September 11, 2012

“A Gasp”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-gasp.html

written about my experience at

Franklin Pierce Law Center

Concord, NH

on September 11, 2001

in the TV lounge

where we all stayed, transfixed by the images

&

latest 20 poems about

September 11, 2001

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/search/label/September%2011

&

edited June 14, 2014

Raising the Colors – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/06/raising-colors-v3.html

Flag Day

edited May 26, 2014

Raising the Colors – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/05/raising-colors-v2.html

Memorial Day

August 14, 2009

Raising the Colors

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/raising-colors.html

8:03 AM; watching the raising of the US and POW/MIA flags

Hooksett Family Division Court

Hooksett, NH

In the park across from the court is a sign with the name

Rene Gagnon, the Hooksett resident

who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gagnon

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 50,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

faith, God, America, patriotism, heroism, duty, honor, country, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Allenstown NH, poetry, love, war, history, justice, Flag Day, Memorial Day,

#faith #God #America #patriotism #heroism #duty #honor #country #UMC #AllenstownNH #poetry #love #war #history #justice #FlagDay #MemorialDay

=============

Faith, God, love, grace, Poetry Where You Live, law, justice, God’s purpose, calling, September 11, America, tragedy, terror, forgiveness, never forget, children, fourth of July, Independence Day, 4^th of July #Declaration of Independence, flag,

#Faith #God #America #tragedy #terror #hope #life #neverforget #children #September11 #Honor911 #fourthofJuly #IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #DeclarationofIndependence #flag #UnitedStatesofAmerica

held by the barbs, the nails – v2

Still not free to move

held prisoner, captive;

held by the barbs

the nails, the forces,

bars that constrains them.

A furtive reminder

of those we remember,

those held in foreign lands,

those missing in action

some never to return.

============

edited November 5, 2017

held by the barbs, the nails – v2

November 4, 2017

held by the barbs, the nails

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/11/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

the POW/MIA flag

in front of Ellis Family Market

part of the Main Street Flags

Main Street

Patten, ME

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 45,350 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God, country, United States, America, veterans, prisoners of war, missing in action, POW, MIA, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea, war, casualties, flag, remember, never forget, Patten, ME

#God #country #UnitedStates #America #veterans #POW #MIA #Vietnam #flag #remember #neverforget #Patten #ME,