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Holodomor

Holodomor I am surrounded by death’s unmerciful stench, its sounds, its unrelenting determination. I cling to the nothingness of hope, feel the emptiness of bloated belly, the gnawing bite of hunger cannibalizing itself. My children died first, too small, made too weak to linger - in death’s grip - for long. My wife held the lifeless bodies and slowly followed. Looking into her hollow, empty eyes I knew that death had come long before her love succumbed to the hate. A hate that refused food to the hungry, sustenance to the children. I pray to forgotten gods for an end, my end. Awaken one more time, see the gray haze of one more day, watch gaunt shadows of men, of women, fade into blackened memories. I, we, have surrendered yet this war this hate, this fear, this terror continues. I will rest now, allow the darkness to envelope what little is left of me, of my life, of my family, of us. John G. Lawless 8/21/2014 for the Genocide: Speak for the Lost contest Holodomor, the Ukrainian genocide.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 11/11/2014 7:17:00 PM
You were an excellent voice for them. Congrad's Light & Love
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Date: 11/10/2014 10:58:00 PM
Wow, very nice...congrats on your win!
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Date: 11/10/2014 7:37:00 PM
Very powerful emotional poem John. Congratulations on your win.
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Date: 11/10/2014 5:19:00 PM
congrats on your win with this gem. Cory
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John Lawless
Date: 11/10/2014 5:33:00 PM
Thank you Cory.
Date: 11/10/2014 9:22:00 AM
I am speechless with the emotion this poem brings to my heart. One of the best in this contest !
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John Lawless
Date: 11/10/2014 5:33:00 PM
Thanks Carrie, it was not easy to imagine the horrors suffered by so many yet it is important that we never forget them.
Date: 11/10/2014 9:04:00 AM
Nice write, congrats on the win,
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Date: 11/10/2014 8:42:00 AM
Excellent write John. Congratulations on your first place win.
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John Lawless
Date: 11/10/2014 5:33:00 PM
Thanks Maurice.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things