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Spartans Bridge

The hammer rises The sickle moves to mow down… Ukraine Europe’s shield The USSR reborn Never did disintegrate. © Harry J Horsman 2022

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Bill Baker

Date: 4/26/2022 5:30:00 PM

Sad but true my friend. Your thoughts were well displayed through your fine poetry. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Joseph May

Date: 4/24/2022 9:30:00 AM

So true Harry, Putin has a scorched earth policy, hope he will pay the price for his war crimes

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/5/2022 7:28:00 PM

You expressed it well in tanka form. Most thoughtful poetry

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 4/5/2022 4:03:00 AM

I agree with Suzanne dear Harry, what have we done with compassion buried it aside all those bleeding red poppies of long ago ? I suck in air of fear when I think of what can be. But then I think of God's mercy, and know, there has to be a cease fire along the way. Much love and connection dear friend. Brave it like a soldier today, they fight with real guns, we do not. :)

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 4/5/2022 2:45:00 AM

Very succinctly put, Harry: When I put myself in the place of the Ukrainians it becomes very frightening. That war can descend so easily on innocent lives in this day and age tells us we have not advanced but gone backwards. Best, SuZ

Valsa George

Date: 4/5/2022 2:35:00 AM

This is a very intelligent write Harry ! The Ukrainians are like Spartans. A group of people who had great courage and self discipline though they belonged to a tiny city state in Greece. The comparison is so apt and a wonderful Tanka !

Debra L Brown

Date: 4/4/2022 3:25:00 PM

Harry, this is so sad. Well written Tanka. Blessings ~ Debra

Mike Gentile

Date: 4/4/2022 11:28:00 AM

You put this so well Harry, so sad that you had to. Well done piece !

Eileen Manassian

Date: 4/3/2022 11:33:00 PM

Very thoughtful piece, Harry. It is truly sad to see what is happening to innocent people. I have no words. Thanks for your visit recently. Wishing you every blessing.

Judy Ball

Date: 4/3/2022 4:01:00 AM

Well said Harry. God Bless, JB

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 4/2/2022 10:24:00 AM

A very apt comparison my friend, Spartans, small in soldier power, still fought knowing they would die, to keep the Greeks at bay. Ukraine is truly the bridge between Russia and Europe - hopefully he won't try to create another bridge, although I think Sweden is on his agenda. Such a clever Tanka Harry. I have written and posted a couple years back a poem about the Spartans, if you would like to read it - The Battle of Thermopylae - A Spartan Death Wish - 480 BC Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 4/1/2022 7:37:00 AM

Great in title and imagery. Always Putin had his eye to take back the freedom of Ukraine and replace it with his devilry. I appreciate this tanka!

Anil Deo

Date: 3/31/2022 10:24:00 PM

Lots to ponder; hammer & sickle would have rebuilt many nations, but never in Communist or Moaist hands. Pol-Pot democracy fircTin-Pitvductators. Shalom shalom Sir

Sotto Poet

Date: 3/31/2022 3:06:00 PM

Harry, you penned a wonderful and actual Tanka. I really like the analogy between the Ukrainians and the Spartans.

David Kavanagh

Date: 3/31/2022 7:55:00 AM

Brilliant analogy Harry between the Ukrainian struggle against Putin, and the Spartans mammoth effort to hold back Xerxes, at Thermopylae, outstanding Tanka, cheers David

Janice Canerdy

Date: 3/31/2022 6:40:00 AM

Is there not a bullet somewhere with Putin's sorry name on it?! Harry, your tanka is well-written and very timely. Janice

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 3/31/2022 1:51:00 AM

Loved the metaphor in your poem.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/31/2022 1:13:00 AM

So true Harry, it was always there waiting to resurface, that dog Putin was heard to say he'd risk 50,000 of his army to achieve his goals. He needs taking out. Tom