#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' Cry #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
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 his chains,
while he was on the steppes,
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...
 
--------  
Edited August 3, 2026
Taras’ Cry
 
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
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “Testament”
Written and posted September 29, 2024
His wish was fulfilled
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/10/his-wish-was-fulfilled.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
based on the poem, “Zapovit”, “Testament”
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
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, 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

We must live life in this present – v2

We must live life in this present, this now,
walking the steps right before us,
we must strive ever forward,
we must never look back…
 
Our past may inform us on our journey,
but we cannot change history, what was,
we must move forward in this present,
ever forward, with every step in life…
 
We must live life in this present,
the days and minutes before us,
we must focus on each day, now,
finding joy in each moment…
 
---------------  
Edited February 11, 2025
We must live life in this present – v2
 
Edited/ new name May 22, 2024
We must live life in this present
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-must-live-life-in-this-present.html
Edited/ new name May 21, 2024
We must live life in the present
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-must-live-life-in-present.html
Edited/ new name May 20, 2024
We live life in the present – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-live-life-in-present-v2.html
May 20, 2024
Life in the present
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/life-in-present.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, 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, God, Spirit, love, grace, faith, monument, testament, rainbow, Genesis 9. nature, wisdom, balance, abundance, peace,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #faith #monument #testament #love #rainbow #Genesis9 #nature #wisdom #balance #abundance #peace

The Earth in all its beauty – v2

The Earth in all its beauty,
the precision of nature,
is a monument, a testament,
proof of God’s love…
 
All of this is evident,
if we would stop,
if we would see it,
if we would listen to God
calling to each one of us …
 
The rainbow that forms,
after the torrent, the rainstorm,
is a promise, a testament,
proof of God’s love…
 
All of this is evident,
if we would stop,
if we would see it,
if we would listen to God
calling to each one of us…
 
The Earth in all its beauty,
the precision of nature,
is a monument, a testament,
proof of God’s love…
 
---------------  
Edited May 20, 2024
 
May 20, 2024
The Earth in all its beauty
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-earth-and-all-its-beauty.html
Based on Genesis 9:12-17
God’s promise of the rainbow
after the great flood
&
Edited, new name May 20, 2024
We live life in the present
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-live-life-in-present-in-steps-right.html
May 20, 2024
Life in the present
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/life-in-present.html
"You can't look back;
you have to keep looking forward."
 - Lucy Liu
&
May 20, 2024
Peace, wellness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/peace-wellness.html
Prioritize self-care to flourish:
it's your foundation for wellness!
Self-care matters
&
Edited May 20, 2024
Nature does not hurry – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/nature-does-not-hurry-v2.html
“Nature does not hurry,
yet everything is accomplished.”
 — Lao Tzu
&
Edited May 15, 2024
I release my treasure – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/i-release-my-treasure-v4.html
Based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Edited May 14, 2024
Everything changes – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/everything-changes-v2.html
May 13, 2024
Releasing our treasure
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/releasing-our-treasure.html
"If you realize that all things change,
there is nothing you will try to hold on to."
Lao Tzu
&
Edited May 13, 2024
Wanderers – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/wanderers-v3.html
Edited May 11, 2024
Travelers – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/travelers-v3.html
“We are all wanderers in the Unknown.”
I Ching
&
Edited May 9, 2024
Forever – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/forever-v2.html
Edited May 9, 2024
Now – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/now-v2.html 
May 9, 2024 X post by
Wendi M. Lindenmuth MPH, Author. Artist. Editor
@LindenmuthWendi
“What is on the other side of forever?”
 
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, 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, God, Spirit, love, grace, faith, prayer, nature, wisdom, Lao Tzu, 2 Corinthians 5, self-care, wellness, balance, abundance, peace, motivation Monday, Lucy Liu,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #nature #wisdom #LaoTzu #2Corithians5 #SelfCareMatters #wellness #balance #abundance #peace #motivationMonday #LucyLiu
 
-----------
poetry, God, Spirit, love, grace, faith, monument, testament, rainbow, Genesis 9. nature, wisdom, balance, abundance, peace,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #faith #monument #testament #love #rainbow #Genesis9 #nature #wisdom #balance #abundance #peace

The Earth and all its beauty

The Earth and all its beauty,
the precision of nature,
a monument, a testament,
proof of God’s love…
 
The rainbows that form,
after the torrent, the rainstorms,
a promise, a testament,
proof of God’s love…
 
---------------  
May 20, 2024
The Earth in all its beauty
 
Based on Genesis 9:12-17
God’s promise of the rainbow
after the great flood
&
Edited, new name May 20, 2024
We live life in the present
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/we-live-life-in-present-in-steps-right.html
May 20, 2024
Life in the present
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/life-in-present.html
"You can't look back;
you have to keep looking forward."
 - Lucy Liu
&
May 20, 2024
Peace, wellness
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/peace-wellness.html
Prioritize self-care to flourish:
it's your foundation for wellness!
Self-care matters
&
Edited May 20, 2024
Nature does not hurry – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/nature-does-not-hurry-v2.html
“Nature does not hurry,
yet everything is accomplished.”
 — Lao Tzu
&
Edited May 15, 2024
I release my treasure – v4
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/i-release-my-treasure-v4.html
Based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Edited May 14, 2024
Everything changes – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/everything-changes-v2.html
May 13, 2024
Releasing our treasure
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/releasing-our-treasure.html
"If you realize that all things change,
there is nothing you will try to hold on to."
Lao Tzu
&
Edited May 13, 2024
Wanderers – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/wanderers-v3.html
Edited May 11, 2024
Travelers – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/travelers-v3.html
“We are all wanderers in the Unknown.”
I Ching
&
Edited May 9, 2024
Forever – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/forever-v2.html
Edited May 9, 2024
Now – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/now-v2.html 
May 9, 2024 X post by
Wendi M. Lindenmuth MPH, Author. Artist. Editor
@LindenmuthWendi
“What is on the other side of forever?”
 
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, 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, God, Spirit, love, grace, faith, prayer, nature, wisdom, Lao Tzu, 2 Corinthians 5, self-care, wellness, balance, abundance, peace, motivation Monday, Lucy Liu,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #nature #wisdom #LaoTzu #2Corithians5 #SelfCareMatters #wellness #balance #abundance #peace #motivationMonday #LucyLiu
 
-----------
poetry, God, Spirit, love, grace, faith, monument, testament, rainbow, Genesis 9. nature, wisdom, balance, abundance, peace,
 
#poetry #God #Spirit #love #grace #faith #monument #testament #love #rainbow #Genesis9 #nature #wisdom #balance #abundance #peace