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The Siege of Mariupol Steelworks

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Down in the south east of Ukraine they call the Donbas region Is where the Russians were kept at bay by the Azoz battalion For three long months in Mariupol, they put up one hell of a fight Against air raids, constant bombardment and military might. Many were severely injured in battle, but they never gave in In an act of sheer defiance to the Russian's and Vladimar Putin It's stalled Russian advance, in their so called special operation And to war criminal Vladimar Putin, it caused much frustration His murdering scum army were much needed elsewhere But strong Ukrainian resistance were keeping them there The Ukrainian high command knew they wouldn't survive President Zelensky was heard to say "we need heroes alive". Orders were given for them to stand down, so they surrendered The siege will live on in folklore, and will always be remembered The Russian military has now taken the soldiers, to a prison colony Where they'll be charged with terrorism and never be set free. Russians from the steelworks siege, are now being sent to the front Trying to cut off Ukrainians in the east, who are bearing the brunt The west must now go all out to deliver the weapons they need To help push back the aggressors and make sure they succeed. Their heroic stand bought time for Ukraine, to replenish supplies Like heavy weapons from the west that caught Russia by surprise Russia's only real advantage, is the sheer volume of personnel So small groups of brave Ukrainian guerrillas, are giving them hell. Hit and run raids by special forces are being carried out with success Zelensky has nothing but praise for his soldiers, in his nightly address Land seized by Russia will never have peace, the Ukrainians have said To concede land to the brutal invaders, would be an insult to the dead. Ukraine wants to send soldiers bodies back to their families Russia has refused them, because the truth, the people would see And Vladimir Putin doesn't want his people to see him as a liar So he's quite happy to ignore it as his death toll grows higher. written on 26th may 2022

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Beryl Edmonds

Date: 6/6/2022 1:31:00 PM

Tom your poems on madman Putin’s war has kept us informed and in your awe. The poetry diary ought to be put in a book to go down in history, as so it should. Another magnificent write… Belle

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 2:25:00 PM

Thank you very much Belle, how the western world has allowed that war criminal to act with impunity beggars belief. The west should have stood up to him from the start, can't believe thousands have lost their lives because of him. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 6/4/2022 10:37:00 PM

I guess the last two poems dedicated to you (ONE POTD) reiterate the faith we have in you, giving us statistic, truths, visions of hope for the Ukrainians, and you even go behind enemy lines which further gives all the credence one needs to read your poetic talented writes kudos Tom, so proud of your total commitment to the innocent UKRAINIANS Hugs, blessings. Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 12:37:00 AM

Thank you very much Jennifer, those people have been through sheer hell and whilst Russia carries on with that illegal occupation l'll continue to call them out. They are murdering scumbags. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/29/2022 5:09:00 AM

This poem is another masterpiece Tom. Your talent continues to shine. Blessings xxoo

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/29/2022 5:52:00 AM

Thank you Connie, you can't help but admire their sheer bravery against the invading Russians. Tom

Harry Horsman

Date: 5/28/2022 8:29:00 PM

I agree with Mike below, Tom your annals of poetry here, should be archived, keep up the find truth....Harry

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/29/2022 1:37:00 AM

Thank you very much Harry, if they hadn't run out of ammunition they'd still be there but it would have been suicide to have stayed. Lets hope this senseless war comes to an end, so many lives lost and for what. Tom

Mike Gentile

Date: 5/28/2022 4:36:00 AM

Tom, your annals are truly moving and rooted in deep seated feeling and conviction! A modern day tragedy unfolding as though man has learned nothing in the last 200 hundred years! Great work!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/28/2022 5:02:00 AM

Thank you very much Mike, While Putin carries on with his unjust war I'll continue to write Enjoy your weekend Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 5/28/2022 2:49:00 AM

I follow closely the war in Ukraine and have written a number of poems on it as you know, dearest Tom. Your writing is something to be included in the annals of history of this war. Heros are setting the souls of the rest of the people aflame. Yes, they will be remembered as your poem would be remembered, my dearest friend. God bless you!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/28/2022 2:59:00 AM

Thank you very much Demetrios, if I see a great injustice I write about it. The brave and honourable Ukrainian people deserve all the help we can give them. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 5/27/2022 11:13:00 AM

Keep up the fabulous writing, Tom. They are a brave people. Pangie

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 12:24:00 PM

Thank you Pangie, they certainly are, hope the west delivers the weapons they need to defend themselves. Tom

Rico Leffanta

Date: 5/27/2022 10:58:00 AM

Last night's news featured a Russian woman who went to the Ukraine to fetch her two young sons conscripted by Putin; both were ragged and starving, but she was able to get them home safe, so now you know one Russian woman was able to stand up to Putin! Thanks, Tom! Aloha!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 12:21:00 PM

Thank you very much Rico, yes I saw that, conscripts used in the early days of the war as cannon fodder. Russia needs more sane people like that mother. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/27/2022 8:53:00 AM

wow, the bodies can't even be sent back to Russia. So sad. I feel for the guys that have to fight on both sides of this. They are serving their leaders and I am betting many russian soldiers do NOT enjoy what they are being forced to do. I agree with Valsa. You are like a zealous news correspondent!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 8:56:00 AM

Thank you very much Andrea, I know many Russians are against it but are fearful of speaking out. Such a tragedy and all caused by one piece of trash called Putin. Tom

Valsa George

Date: 5/27/2022 6:23:00 AM

Another update of the Ukraine and Russia war ! You are more zealous than a war correspondent, Tom. It is sad that the war gets prolonged and so many soldiers from both sides keep dying.... ! Can all the perfumes of Arabia ever wash away the stench of blood from Putin's hands? ?Another great write....

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 6:35:00 AM

Thank you very much Valsa, I don't think it will, I don't know how that madman sleeps at night, I hope he has nightmares, if he doesn't pay for his crimes against humanity in this life he will In the next. Tom

Jenna Logan

Date: 5/27/2022 5:16:00 AM

Give up their land for which so many have died? No! The dead, the raped, the battered and bruised fought bravely for their country. To give it up now is not an option, nor should it be. You write about the facts, Tom, and the facts are that a madman and his lemmings have destroyed much of Ukraine, but they haven't crushed their spirit and hope. Another excellent expose'.

Jenna Logan
Date: 5/27/2022 7:01:00 AM

They could see if he'd allow the truth of what he's done to be viewed by them, Tom. Even then, they'd be afraid of retaliation as some Russian people did while demonstrating against his attacks. May his serious illness painfully linger until death.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 6:33:00 AM

Thank you very much Jenna, I hear that madman is seriously ill and with a bit of luck he'll do mankind a favour and exit painfully, he's a piece of thrash. I hope the west throws everything behind Ukraine to push out that dog and his scum. You're right I wouldn't agree to one inch of land. Cant the ordinary Russian people see where he's leading them Tom

David Kavanagh

Date: 5/27/2022 4:53:00 AM

I think Tom it’s possible, if there’s a negotiated peace at some point in the future, the pow’s will be exchanged, but with no end in sight, it certainly does look bleak for them, another terrific poem from you, supporting the Ukrainian people, they certainly have more courage than Putin can handle, cheers David

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 5:08:00 AM

Thank you very much David, he had bad Intel and thought after a couple of days the Russian flag would be hoisted in Kviv and another poodle like Lukashenko installed, how wrong was he. You can't help but admire the Ukrainians standing up to that piece of trash. I hear Ukraine are playing Ireland next week in a friendly match, hope the proceeds are donated to help Ukraine. Tom

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 5/27/2022 2:06:00 AM

You are well versed witth the war in Ukraine, I bet if you produce it as a bood, it will be a best seller.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 2:32:00 AM

Thank you very much Victor, its just my way of supporting Ukraine, sadly I don't have a gun only a pen. Tom

Bill Baker

Date: 5/26/2022 10:37:00 PM

Thanks again, Tom, for sharing this information on the battle to stop a world dominance by Russia. God be with all that fight for freedom in Ukraine. Bill

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 12:39:00 AM

Thank you Bill, The whole civilised world is in agreement with you. Good will overcome evil in the end. Tom

R J. Elless

Date: 5/26/2022 9:00:00 PM

Nice job, on point for the times. I like it!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 12:37:00 AM

Thank you very much Howard, Putin is a thug and a war criminal, on the world stage he's finished. Tom

Arthur Vaso

Date: 5/26/2022 8:47:00 PM

I absolutely love this poem, for may reasons and having friends there, following this very closely, you have expressed the situation so well.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 12:36:00 AM

Thank you very much Arthur, whilst Russia occupies the Donbas region they will never have peace. How will they police it, he'll pay dearly for his crimes. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/26/2022 8:45:00 PM

Another epic write, Tom. Keep 'em coming! Thanks, Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 12:31:00 AM

Thank you very much Gershon, I hope the west is getting those weapons in that they need. Tom

L Milton Hankins

Date: 5/26/2022 6:59:00 PM

Outstanding chronicling, Tom. Heroes, yes. Putin will continue to crow until he is driven out and can no longer support the campaign. I hope whatever ails him will get him soon. I think the operation as a whole would crumble if he were dead. He IS feared. He is a monster to be feared even by his own generals.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/27/2022 12:30:00 AM

Thank you Milton, me too, we know he rules by fear and threats and whilst he's still breathing I keep writing. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/26/2022 3:29:00 PM

They are heroes as you so eloquently describe Tom. Willing to die for their country. I feel saddened that the world couldn't do more for fear of third world war. Keep up the good work, Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/26/2022 3:32:00 PM

Thank you very much Vijay, Putin shouts and the West cowers. The psycho is bluffing and we should call it. Tom