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

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

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
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
Date: 4/5/2022 7:28:00 PM
You expressed it well in tanka form. Most thoughtful poetry
Login to Reply
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. :)
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
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 !
Login to Reply
Date: 4/4/2022 3:25:00 PM
Harry, this is so sad. Well written Tanka. Blessings ~ Debra
Login to Reply
Date: 4/4/2022 11:28:00 AM
You put this so well Harry, so sad that you had to. Well done piece !
Login to Reply
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.
Login to Reply
Date: 4/3/2022 4:01:00 AM
Well said Harry. God Bless, JB
Login to Reply
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.
Login to Reply
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!
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
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.
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
Date: 3/31/2022 1:51:00 AM
Loved the metaphor in your poem.
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter