Ukraine Poems

These are poems for Ukraine and Ukrainians. We Are Here by Michael R. Burch “We are here.” – Volodymyr Zelensky We are here. Were are here. And we won’t disappear. We are here. We are here. We are here. We are here. Have no fear, our position is clear. We are here. We are here. We are here. And yet we need help. Will earth’s leaders just yelp? We are here. We are here. We are here. Our nation stands strong. Will you choose right, or wrong? We are here. We are here. We are here. Now let me be clear, Vladimir, dear: WE are here. We are HERE. WE ARE HERE. Epitaph for a Ukrainian Child by Michael R. Burch I lived as best I could, and then I died. Be careful where you step: the grave is wide. Frail Envelope of Flesh by Michael R. Burch for the mothers and children of Ukraine Frail envelope of flesh, lying cold on the surgeon’s table with anguished eyes like your mother’s eyes and a heartbeat weak, unstable ... Frail crucible of dust, brief flower come to this— your tiny hand in your mother’s hand for a last bewildered kiss ... Brief mayfly of a child, to live two artless years! Now your mother’s lips seal up your lips from the Deluge of her tears ... For a Ukrainian Child, with Butterflies by Michael R. Burch Where does the butterfly go when lightning rails when thunder howls when hailstones scream while winter scowls and nights compound dark frosts with snow? Where does the butterfly go? Where does the rose hide its bloom when night descends oblique and chill beyond the capacity of moonlight to fill? When the only relief's a banked fire's glow, where does the butterfly go? And where shall the spirit flee when life is harsh, too harsh to face, and hope is lost without a trace? Oh, when the light of life runs low, where does the butterfly go? I Pray Tonight by Michael R. Burch for the children of Ukraine and their mothers I pray tonight the starry Light might surround you. I pray by day that, come what may, no dark thing confound you. I pray ere tomorrow an end to your sorrow. May angels' white chorales sing, and astound you. The Ghost of Kyiv by Michael R. Burch Terrible angel, phantom avenger ... abandon compassion, take to the skies, seek out the murderers of women and children, send them to hell with relentless eyes. Behold the Men by Michael R. Burch If ever men were brave, behold the men: they withstood the tyrant who attacked in vain. If ever men were brave, behold the men: the valiant men and women of Ukraine.