Poets Corner: Ukrainian Tears (National Poetry Month)

April is National Poetry Month

Sadness hangs like a cloud close to the ground.
People fleeing for their lives.
Years of fighting heightened on February 24, 2022.
We support with prayers and tears.
A shared sorrow over loss of lives, livelihoods and childhoods cut short.
Shelling, bombs, attacks on neighborhoods, communities, freedom.

Ukrainian tears shed for family members, left behind to keep watch over the home.
Tears shed by shopkeepers unable to provide food.
Tears shed at border crossings not knowing if they will ever return to the place they were born, where their parents were born, where their children were born.
Russian tears shed in disagreement of treatment of fellow human beings.

Dignity, searching for dignity…tears.
Salty and constant from students, teachers, parents and partners, people all over the world sharing tears for Ukraine.
Millions have fled, tens of thousands are dead…
Tears, so many tears, impossible to count.

Tears for Ukraine, tears for humanity, tears stopped before they start, trying to keep the sadness at bay.
Trying to get through another day.
We are sad.
It is hard to see through the tears what we can do.
Tears, fears, and more tears.
Tears of thanksgiving for Poland, opening their homes, opening their arms.
Tears for people everywhere who weep with Ukraine and all pressed by war.

Tears of solidarity all over the world.
Tears of joy when families are reunited.
Tears of hope, that the end is near.
So many, many, tears.

……………………. by Pastor Emily Hagan, grace and peace, Lyons Community Church, and First UMC of Lafayette

How you can Help

Methodist Church: https://umcmission.org/advance-project/14053a/

Charities with High Approval Ratings from Charity Navigator “ratings” site:
World Vision Christian humanitarian organization
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
Catholic Relief Services
Islamic Relief USA

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