Get our newsletters

A poem for Ukraine: Shevchenko Stirs in his Grave

Posted

The bear continues to paw away at lines
as the eagle
circles above never landing. The blue shield
bends, but holds
as the world watches.

Shevchenko stirs in his grave

An angry little man who loves his mirror struts
about Moscow
spews lies, hungers for the empire that
shattered decades ago.
A little man in search of little Russia plays
with soldiers as if they
are toys, each die in the name of his ego.

Shevchenko stirs in his grave

Crimea whimpers under the paw of the bear
as the little man

dances, tanks pass through the old square. He
ignores mothers
of Ukraine and Russia weeping for loved ones
lost. He catches
his reflection, admires himself, puffs out his
chest, wants to be taller.

Shevchenko stirs in his grave

White Gyrfalcon
ascends the blue gray skies of Ukraine, gold
trident pointed east, freedom the cause.

Shevchenko stirs in his grave

Taras Shevchenko is the national poet
of Ukraine.


g emil reutter
Philadelphia and Bucks County


Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.


X