By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2022

First published in Academy of the Heart and Mind (November 3, 2022)

The images
inspire the world,
love of homeland
and flag unfurled;

Men of all age
turn out to fight,
for freedom dear,
opposed by might;

Their loved ones far
from fathers’arms,
from husbands’ hugs,
and gold wheat farms;

Each parting word
could be their last,
but they resolve
to be steadfast;

Battling for
their way of life,
to live in peace,
apart from strife;

No country thought
they had a chance,
until they saw,
their leader’s stance;

Defying calls
to flee his land,
he stood his ground
and made his stand;

Uniting all
behind Ukraine,
he called out strong
in loud refrain:

“All glory to
the heroes past,
the heroes now,
those unsurpassed,
whose spirit shines
lighting the way,
for all they love…
to win the day.”