
Poetry for Ukraine
Artwork is by Ukrainian artist Anastasia. Her work can be found in her Etsy shop called AyToysArt.
I have been given permission to share both the remarkable poem and the beautiful and moving artwork with you.
Poetry for Ukraine
A powerfully beautiful poem from on the ground: John Gordon Sennett is from the Jersey Shore and lives in Ukraine with his wife, Natasha and dog, Philly Cheesesteak.
Night in ChernivtsiStreet lights no longer shine on the backstreets of ChernivtsiStars twinkle in and out above the low ridge of a distant mountainRandom apartments give the blue light glow of TV from their windowsOne dog barks, another one starts and soon after a cacophony of howlsSilver moonlight, shines off the shiny new rooftop across the streetThe smoke of the cigar rises and fades lingering for only momentsUkrainian cognac coats the lips, mingles with the cigar tasteThen mixes with it and brings out one of life’s simple treasuresAnd they are dancing in the streets now in liberated KhersonPeace for now but all here know that it will not yet be a lasting oneWe celebrate anyway, we go on, we fight, we write, we do what we have toDefeat does not exist in our reality and neither does the offer of surrenderWho is foolish enough to negotiate with the devil?Or even to speak with him as if he is a civilized being?No, the troops of ours will roll on until he leaves this bountiful landWe will roll on doing the work it takes to win this awful, unfair warShevchenko on his hill will stand and salute all those who continue the fightAll the greats of Ukraine who told us that it was so will rise from the ashesAnd dance when the victory of Ukraine finally comes and wraps us withinOur souls and spirits know it, feel it, smell it and taste itOur bodies may be worn, hungry, tired, abused, injured and brokenBut it is within that counts and together, we all know thatSo we will light our candles in our churches and pray before iconsSome of us will fast for the coming Nativity season and St. Nicholas DayWe are used to giving up things so others may fight, may win and may continueUnited no matter what our race, creed or identity in the battle with evilAll of us will stand against it in our own way, raise whatever weapons we may have at our disposalWe strike down that evil that has come from the ugly eastWith pen, with sword, with voice, with guns, artillery and dronesStand with us if you believe in freedom is all that we ask
Mama Cormier
March 2, 2023 at 5:18 pm
Wonderful art and moving poem. Thanks for sharing.
mybeautfulthings
March 2, 2023 at 9:28 pm
I thought so too and happy that they touched you as well. 🙂