War

In May, I turned twenty one,

Hadn't seen the world, I just begun.

But I had known love and care,

A family’s warmth was always there.

On the 23rd, the night was still,

People dined and went to bed.

But on the 24th, it broke;

They came, no warning, just the smoke.

Two loud blasts, I heard them near,

At first I froze, refused the fear.

Then I looked and saw the flame;

And in that moment, knew: it came.

War had knocked on every door,

Hearts were split, and skies were tore.

People ran, not knowing where.

Some in silence, some in prayer.

A boy let go his lover’s hand;

Never would they dance again.

Mother sobbing through the phone,

Father shouting, “You're not alone!”

“Run!” they said. “You must escape!

Take your children, guard their fate!”

But I stayed, confused and still,

On my land, with iron will.

To those beasts, we send a curse;

From holy books and country’s church.

You will answer for all the things you've done,

Before our God, before His Son.

You will stand and face your own decay,

And drift in endless sleep one day.

We wait for when your reign is gone;

The “Putins era” won’t live on.

Born in Ukraine; and I will say,

With pride, with fire, with no delay:

'Russians, your regime’s diseased,

Your rulers rot while people bleed.'

But morning comes, I feel it near,

The bells of freedom loud and clear.

With our leader, we will rise,

Our flag will dance across the sky.

Salo, vodka, laughter loud;

We will toast beneath the stars at night.

We will mock the lies of “Russian peace,”

And celebrate our soul’s release.

You weren’t called, you weren’t asked in,

We called you brothers once, in error.

But now, prepare your tears and grief,

Your country’s madness brings no peace.

You walk with blood upon your pride,

Wearing stolen clothes you hide.

Things your fathers ripped away,

Laughing cruelly every day.

He raped and looted, broke the doors,

Now cries to Mom; ashamed, unsure.

He was bold just yesterday;

But now Ukraine stands in his way.

There’s so much more I could expose;

The terror, pain, the fear that grows.

But through it all, we’ve stood as one,

Beneath this sky, beneath this sun.

Ukraine; united, fierce, and brave,

With golden hearts we will not cave.

Armed Forces of Ukraine; our shield, our flame.

We live, we fight; in freedom’s name.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Russian casualties in the war in Ukraine are nearly one million at this point. This offering captures the spirit of the Ukrainian defenders. I have the feeling they will be around long after Bad Vlad has passed from the scene.