Thirty-Five Years of #Life #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland

Thirty-five years of life
of Ukraine’s independence,
shaking off chains of empire
the curse of many generations
unwilling to be subjects
to be slaves, serfs,
of their largest neighbor...
Unwilling to submit
to Moskal’s army...
 
Thirty-five years of fight
for full independence
to chart their own course
to stand as a free people
no longer slaves to tyrants
reclaiming what was taken
what was stolen from them
by the Bolsheviks, by the Tsar...
Yet always yearning to be free...
 
Thirty-five years of Moscow’s lie,
of the Soviets and the Tsars before them,
that they were one people
when Ukraine yearns to be free,
they have fought for independence,
they have been starved and deported...
Nothing of this is neighborly,
trying to erase Ukraine,
to make it a vassal state...
 
Thirty-five years of independence,
fighting for autonomy, survival,
twelve years of invasion of war,
of genocide by their neighbor,
of daily attacks by Russia,
Ukraine stands in the breach,
Ukraine is fighting their evil...
Ukraine will not submit,
Ukraine will win its freedom...
 
===================
August 23, 2026
Thirty-Five Years of Life
 
August 23, 2026
The Day of the Ukrainian Flag
August 24, 2026
The Thirty-fifth Ukrainian Independence Day
Edited July 11, 2026
Innovation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/innovation-v2.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
Edited June 30, 2026
Taras saw this future – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/taras-saw-this-future-v4.html
Edited June 24, 2026
Resolve personified – v7
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/resolve-personified-v7.html
September 5, 2024
Flying from every flagpole
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/09/flying-from-every-flagpole.html
National Day of Remembrance – August 29, 2024
Ukraine Independence Day – August 24, 2024
Ukraine National Flag Day – August 23, 2024
August 27, 2024
The Flag of their Independence
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-flag-of-their-independence.html
February 25, 2022
In the crucible of terror
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-crucible-of-terror.html
April 11, 2014
Crying for Crimea
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/04/crying-for-crimea.html
my first poem about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,
just after the formal annexation of Crimea by Russia.
 
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, prison, Crimea, Snake Island,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history #Crimea #SnakeIsland

Я #надіюся на #мир #Poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #hope #courage #heroes #glory #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #revolution #peace #honor #victory

Я надіюся на мир
I hope for peace, a just peace,
a prayer abiding within me
for the world, our spirits,
for this hurting nation,
suffering for so long
Я надіюся на мир
for the people of Ukraine,
May a just peace come quickly
A just peace at last...
 
Lord, we come before You...
Hear our prayer, oh Father,
for Ukraine, for her people,
carrying our burden
holding high their banner
standing against Moskal’s horde...
in a fight they never wanted,
fighting because they must
for their nation to survive,
to continue to exist...
 
Protect them, Lord, we pray...
We pray that real partners rise,
honest about the pain they endure,
standing, because we are timid,
because we are complacent
because we are complicit in blood...
silent in their torment, silent
when we must speak, when we must act,
against Russia, against genocide,
the evil of this unholy war...
 
Lord, hear our prayers...
Lord, bring a just peace
to the people of Ukraine...
May they heal from war...
from the great pain they carry
the evil they have endured...
May Your light pierce the darkness...
May evil be defeated...
May Ukraine be restored...
May they live in peace once more...
 
Amen
 
------
Edited, new name August 20, 2026
Я надіюся на мир
 
Edited/ new name July 30, 2026
A Prayer for Ukraine, for her people
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-prayer-for-ukraine-for-her-people.html
Edited/ new name July 28, 2026
For Ukraine, for her people
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/for-ukraine-for-her-people.html
July 27, 2026
For these people,
For this nation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/for-these-people.html
edited July 25, 2026
Fly Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/fly-taras-v2.html
Edited July 17, 2026
The enemy has no idea – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-enemy-has-no-idea-v4.html
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
Edited December 2, 2025
A prayer for Ukraine – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-prayer-for-ukraine-v4.html
May 22, 2024
In the crucible of history
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-crucible-of-history.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, God, prayer, hope, courage, heroes, glory, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice, Maidan, revolution, honor, peace, victory,

#Poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #hope #courage #heroes #glory #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #revolution #peace #honor #victory

#Рабів до раю не #пускають #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom

Slaves are not allowed to enter paradise
 
a slogan on a t-shirt in a video...
after the Orange Revolution
a choice to fight, to train,
to not be submissive...
to stand for Ukraine...
to wage war against the enemy
to not accept subjugation
rejecting the choice of history
when their people were enslaved...
 
Рабів до раю не пускають -
slaves are not allowed to enter paradise -
Shevchenko’s warning also
centuries ago, in Ukraine,
the three lost souls, the bards,
caught between heaven and hell
acquiescence to enslavement
forfeiting their glory, their legacy,
their Cossack memory...
 
--------
August 10, 2026
Рабів до раю не пускають
 
Track "Нашеліто" (Our Summer) в альбомі "Музичний Лист Щастя"(2004)
by the Ukrainian band, Tartak
https://youtu.be/jpZX41ptPW8?si=3ICH6zGfMBvysrcc
Edited December 1, 2025
Three souls – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/three-souls-v4.html
after poem, “Three souls”,
based on the poem, “The Great Grave”,
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited November 1, 2024
Three bards – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/11/three-bards-v2.html
after poem, “Three bards”,
based on the poem, “The Great Grave”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
edited and posted October 16, 2024
Like the friends of Job – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/like-friends-of-job-v2.html
based on the poem, “The Great Grave”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
Psalm 44:13-14
Psalm 43:14-15
Book of Job
Edited October 31, 2024
Are the people blind – v2
 https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/are-people-blind-v2.html
after poem, “Are the people blind”,
based on the poems, “The Great Grave”,
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited October 31, 2024
A Faustian Tragedy – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-faustian-tragedy-v2.html
after poem, “A Faustian Tragedy”,
based on the poems, “The Great Grave”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
called, “A Comedy”,
see Goethe
Edited October 19, 2024
The Great Grave has been opened – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-great-grave-has-been-opened-v2_27.html
edited and posted October 18, 2024
The spell has been broken – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-spell-has-been-broken-v2_27.html  
after poem, “The spell has been broken”,
based on the poems, “The Great Grave”,
“To Marko Vovchok”,
about Maria Markovich,
and “Hosea, Chapter XIV”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
taking his poem into the Ukraine / Russia War
and the bravery of the people of Ukraine now
 
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, God, prayer, war, terror, genocide, Russia, peace, victory, Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian, freedom, independence, history, glory, pain, serfdom, muse, prison,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom 

#Taras' #Cry, his #Lament #Zapovit #Testament #GrandmasSmuzi #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

Taras' Cry, his Lament,
in “Заповіт” (“Testament”)
"Я не знаю Бога."...

We hear his anguish
in a foreign land, his heart
longing for Ukraine...
 
His words were a cry, a confession,
a lament, a curse, a rebuke
Taras spat upon himself...
 
But it was a lie, an indictment
so undeserved...
for his love for his people
was breathed by God,
His words are like scripture,
a constant lament...
 
Taras said, "I don't know God",
but he knew God's heart...
 
God was within him, beside him,
in fetters, in chains,
while he was on the steppes...
In the sentence of the Tsar...
 
God was with Taras
in the gift of flight, flying,
from his prison, over Ukraine...

Taras' cry, his plea was answered by God...
He was brought home to Ukraine,
to his eternal reward...
 
Yes, Taras knew God
in his native heart...
 
--------  
Edited/ new name August 4, 2026
Taras’s Cry, his Lament
 
Based on Taras Shevchenko’s poem
“Заповіт” (Testament)
written Christmas Day, December 25, 1845
and rock version of the poem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1u5PMjodC8
released July 30, 2026
composed by Grandma’s Smuzi
https://www.youtube.com/@Grandmassmuzi/
Edited/new name August 3, 2026
Taras’ Cry
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/taras-cry.html
August 2, 2026
Taras’ words
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/08/taras-words.html
Edited June 30, 2026
Taras saw this future – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/taras-saw-this-future-v4.html
Edited December 1, 2025
His prayer was answered – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/his-prayer-was-answered-v3.html
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “Testament”
Edited December 1, 2025
lay my body – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/lay-my-body-v4.html
Edited October 16, 2025
His Testament – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/his-testament-v2.html
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “Testament”
Reimagined October 14, 2025
each night he flies
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/each-night-he-flies.html
Taras Shevchenko, from his grave in Kaniv, Ukraine, above the Dnipro
Edited October 6, 2025
From the heights, he watches – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/from-heights-he-watches-v2.html
Edited October 6, 2025
High upon on mountain – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v5.html
Shevchenko’s poems, “The Great Grave”, “To Marko Vovchok”, “Hosea, Chapter XIV”
 
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, prison, grave, Zapovit, Testament, Grandma’s Smuzi, serfdom,
 
#Zapovit #Testament #GrandmasSmuzi #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

#Taras' words #Zapovit #Testament #GrandmasSmuzi #poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

Taras' words
in “Заповіт” (“Testament”)
"Я не знаю Бога."...
 
His words a confession,
a curse, a rebuke
he spat upon himself...
But it was a lie, an indictment
so undeserved...
for his love for his people
was breathed by God,
His words are like scripture,
a constant lament...
Taras said, "I don't know God",
but he knew God's heart...
 
God was within him, beside him,
in fetters, in chains,
in the sentence of the Tsar...
In the gift of flight, flying
from his prison over Ukraine...
Taras' plea was answered by God...
He was brought back to Ukraine,
to his eternal reward...
 
Yes, Taras knew God
in his Ukrainian heart...
 
--------  
August 2, 2026
Taras’ words
 
Based on Taras Shevchenko’s poem
“Заповіт” (Testament)
written Christmas Day, December 25, 1845
and rock version of the poem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1u5PMjodC8
released July 30, 2026
composed by Grandma’s Smuzi
https://www.youtube.com/@Grandmassmuzi/
Edited June 30, 2026
Taras saw this future – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/06/taras-saw-this-future-v4.html
Edited December 1, 2025
His prayer was answered – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/his-prayer-was-answered-v3.html
after poem “His prayer was answered”,
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “The Testament”,
Written and posted September 29, 2024
His wish was fulfilled
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/his-wish-was-fulfilled.html
after poem “His wish was fulfilled, based on the poem,
“The Testament, by Taras Shevchenko,
Edited December 1, 2025
lay my body – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/lay-my-body-v4.html
after poem, “lay my body”,
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “The Testament”,
by Taras Shevchenko
Edited October 16, 2025
His Testament – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/his-testament-v2.html
based on the poem, “The Testament, by Taras Shevchenko,
written Christmas Day, 12/25/1845
Based on the comment of a defender on my poem,
“The power of his words – v4”
Reimagined October 14, 2025
each night he flies
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/each-night-he-flies.html
Taras Shevchenko, from his grave in Kaniv, Ukraine, above the Dnipro
Edited October 6, 2025
From the heights, he watches – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/from-heights-he-watches-v2.html
Edited October 6, 2025
High upon on mountain – v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/10/high-upon-mountain-v5.html
based on Shevchenko’s poems, “The Great Grave”, “To Marko Vovchok”,
and “Hosea, Chapter XIV”,
by Taras Shevchenko,
taking his poem into the Ukraine / Russia War
and the bravery of the people of Ukraine now
and the idea that the grave of Taras Shevchenko itself is The Great Grave...
 
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, grave,
 
#poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #war #terror #genocide #Russia #peace #victory #TarasShevchenko #Taras #Shevchenko #muse #Ukrainian #glory #serfdom #prison #freedom #independence #history

#Pray: A #Prayer for #Ukraine, for her people #Poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #hope #courage #heroes #glory #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #revolution #peace #honor #victory

Lord, we come before You...
Hear our prayer, oh Father,
for Ukraine, for her people,
carrying our burden
holding high their banner
standing against Moskal’s horde...
in a fight they never wanted,
fighting because they must
for their nation to survive,
to continue to exist...
 
Protect them, Lord, we pray...
We pray that real partners rise,
honest about the pain they endure,
because we are timid,
because we are complacent
because we are complicit in blood...
in their torment, silent
when we must speak, when we must act,
against Russia, against genocide,
the evil of this war...
 
Lord, hear our prayers...
Lord, bring a just peace
to the people of Ukraine
May they heal...
from the great pain they carry
the evil they have endured...
May Your light pierce the darkness...
May evil be defeated...
May Ukraine be restored...
May they live in peace once more...
 
Amen
 
------
Edited/ new name July 30, 2026
A Prayer for Ukraine, for her people
 
Edited/ new name July 28, 2026
For Ukraine, for her people
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/for-ukraine-for-her-people.html
July 27, 2026
For these people,
For this nation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/for-these-people.html
edited July 25, 2026
Fly Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/fly-taras-v2.html
Edited July 17, 2026
The enemy has no idea – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-enemy-has-no-idea-v4.html
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
Edited December 2, 2025
A prayer for Ukraine – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-prayer-for-ukraine-v4.html
May 22, 2024
In the crucible of history
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-crucible-of-history.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, God, prayer, hope, courage, heroes, glory, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice, Maidan, revolution, honor, peace, victory,

#Poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #hope #courage #heroes #glory #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #revolution #peace #honor #victory

Hear the cries of your #Future – v2 #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #victory #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace #honor #remembrance #NABU #Fedorov #Zelenskyy #Syrskyi

Their protests are expanding,
their demands are escalating...
Hear the cries of your Future
to the leaders of Ukraine...
 
Like Maidan they saw in their youth,
Like their protests for NABU last year...
the cardboard signs they hold at 9:00 am...
Replaced with protest signs at 9:01 am...
 
Their protests are louder, strident,
while the Rada is empty
Their demands are escalating -
Their future is in the breach...
 
A 21st-century war...
demands a 21st-century leader...
Innovation will save them
for an enduring peace...
 
Their protest are for justice,
for reforms to the system...
The Soviet way of war
will not defeat the Russians...
 
Attrition will not prevail...
Asymmetric war is essential...
The battlefield is on the screens
of thousands of drone operators...
 
You must reinstate Minister Fedorov!
Now, President Zelenskyy!
Listen to your Future -
Protesting, crying in the street!
 
---------------- 
Edited July 29, 2026
Hear the cries of your Future – v2
 
Protests across Ukraine
to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov
as Minister of Defense
Edited July 29, 2026
Joining in Protest – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/joining-in-protest-v2.html
Edited July 29, 2026
Another cardboard revolution – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/another-cardboard-revolution-v2.html
Edited July 29, 2026
Joining in Protest – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/joining-in-protest-v2.html
Protests across Ukraine
to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov
as Minister of Defense
Edited July 29, 2026
Another cardboard revolution – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/another-cardboard-revolution-v2.html
Edited July 17, 2026
hand-written signs – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/hand-written-signs-v2.html
Edited July 17, 2026
The enemy has no idea – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-enemy-has-no-idea-v4.html
Edited July 11, 2026
Innovation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/innovation-v2.html
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
 
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, protest, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice, peace, honor, remembrance, NABU, Maidan, Fedorov, Zelenskyy, Syrskyi,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #victory #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace #honor #remembrance #NABU #Fedorov #Zelenskyy #Syrskyi

Joining in #Protest – v2 #Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #victory #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace #honor #remembrance #NABU #Fedorov #Zelenskyy

Stopping daily, the nation gathers,
Carrying cardboard signs
for their fallen, for defenders,
those still held by Russia...
Standing together at 9:00 am
for a Moment of Honor...
 
But gathering again at 9:01 am
with new signs of protest
over an unwise decision...
In the heat of conflict,
forced to choose sides,
a tragic choice...
 
Joining in protest,
the young, the veterans,
chanting slogans, praying,
singing the national anthem...
In the middle of war standing
for what they believe...
 
Yearning for that future
when they will be at peace
seeing a victory in
innovation over attrition...
The risk of meat assaults,
the loss of each human life...
 
We pray now for wisdom
for a change to the decision
for the cost of war to fall
on the aggressor, not the victim...
For unity to rise once more
for the defeat of the enemy...
 
---------------- 
Edited July 29, 2026
Joining in Protest – v2
 
Protests across Ukraine
to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov
as Minister of Defense
Edited July 29, 2026
Another cardboard revolution – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/another-cardboard-revolution-v2.html
Edited, new name July 20, 2026
Hear the cries of your Future
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/hear-cries-of-your-future.html
Edited July 17, 2026
hand-written signs – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/hand-written-signs-v2.html
Edited July 17, 2026
The enemy has no idea – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-enemy-has-no-idea-v4.html
Edited July 16, 2026
In the crucible of war – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/in-crucible-of-war-v3.html
Edited July 11, 2026
Innovation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/innovation-v2.html
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
May 24, 2026
The Eyes of the Defenders – Version 3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-eyes-of-defenders-version-3.html
May 22, 2024
In the crucible of history
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-crucible-of-history.html
About President Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський,
and the Ukrainian people
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, Ukraine, victory, hope, courage, heroes, victory, glory, protest, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice, peace, honor, remembrance, NABU, Maidan, Fedorov, Zelenskyy,
 
#Poetry #Ukraine #victory #hope #courage #heroes #victory #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #peace #honor #remembrance #NABU #Fedorov #Zelenskyy

Another #cardboard #revolution – v2 #Poetry #Ukraine #hope #courage #heroes #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #cardboard #revolution #peace #honor #Fedorov #Zelenskyy #Magyar #drones #MinisterofDefense #MO #Maidan #NAKO #NABU

The people in the street are still standing,
They are not willing to remain silent,
about the choices that were made,
about the choosing of sides...
and only then beginning to listen...
 
More than twelve years after Maidan
People are again gathering in protest
to chart the course for their nation...
Another cardboard revolution is rising
After more than four years of war...
 
The people themselves hold power,
standing in silence, in honor,
holding signs each morning at 9:00 am...
Every hero, every handwritten sign reflects
Their deep love of Ukraine...
 
They feel the tide turning,
a change in their posture,
the rising pace of innovation...
Missiles, drones targeting Moscow,
Wildberries warehouses on fire, ablaze...
 
In the crucible of war, this trial,
A fateful decision, momentum,
A critical change agent -
A strategy of victory -
They do not want to lose...
 
A cry to their president,
in the square before him,
and in cities across the nation,
thumping on cardboard -
Reinstate the visionary –
The one in whom they believe...
----------------
Edited July 29, 2026
Another cardboard revolution – v2
 
edited July 25, 2026
Fly Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/fly-taras-v2.html
Edited July 23, 2026
Magyar’s Birds – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/magyars-birds-v2.html
July 23, 2026
The change agent – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-change-agent-v2.html
July 20, 2026
Joining in Protest
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/joining-in-protest.html
Edited, new name July 20, 2026
Hear the cries of your Future
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/hear-cries-of-your-future.html
Edited July 17, 2026
hand-written signs – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/hand-written-signs-v2.html
Edited July 17, 2026
The enemy has no idea – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-enemy-has-no-idea-v4.html
Edited July 11, 2026
Innovation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/innovation-v2.html
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
 
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, hope, courage, heroes, glory, protest, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice, Maidan, cardboard, revolution, honor, Fedorov, Zelenskyy, drones, victory, NABU, NAKO,

#Poetry #Ukraine #hope #courage #heroes #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #cardboard #revolution #peace #honor #Fedorov #Zelenskyy #Magyar #drones #MinisterofDefense #MO #Maidan #NAKO #NABU

#Pray For #Ukraine, for her #people #Poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #hope #courage #heroes #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #revolution #peace #honor

Lord, hear our prayer
for Ukraine, for her people,
carrying our burden
holding high their banner
standing against Moskal’s horde,
in a fight they never wanted,
fighting because they must
for their nation to survive,
to continue to exist...
 
May real partners rise up
honest about the pain they endure,
because we are timid,
because we are complacent
because we are complicit in blood
in their torment, silent
when we must speak, when we must act,
against Russia, against genocide,
the evil of this war...
 
Lord, bring a just peace
to the people of Ukraine
May they heal...
from the great pain they carry
the evil they have endured...
May Your light pierce the darkness...
May evil be defeated...
May Ukraine be restored...
May they live in peace...
 
Amen
 
------
Edited/ new name July 28, 2026
For Ukraine, for her people
 
July 27, 2026
For these people,
For this nation
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/for-these-people.html
Edited July 27, 2026
Another cardboard revolution
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/another-cardboard-revolution.html
edited July 25, 2026
Fly Taras – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/fly-taras-v2.html
Edited July 23, 2026
Magyar’s Birds – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/magyars-birds-v2.html
Edited July 17, 2026
The enemy has no idea – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-enemy-has-no-idea-v4.html
Edited July 11, 2026
Innovation – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/07/innovation-v2.html
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
May 22, 2024
In the crucible of history
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/in-crucible-of-history.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, God, prayer, hope, courage, heroes, glory, protest, defenders, Taras Shevchenko, justice, Maidan, revolution, honor, peace,

#Poetry #Ukraine #God #prayer #hope #courage #heroes #glory #protest #defenders #TarasShevchenko #justice #Maidan #revolution #peace #honor