Za Deti

Thoughts on the war in Ukraine (a bit of a rant)

Za Deti (за дети) 

The statement…

“Father forgive them, 

for they know not what they do!”

Truly only applied once.

So I got to ask, 

just who…

do we think we are?

Knowledge… is a b***h

and she doesn’t care, 

no matter how much you try to skew

her vision from the truth.

For life was never meant to be,

About dodging missiles on the street;

killing children and old ladies,

for some land, 

or a fine Mercedes!

All glory is yours almighty father,

because the trappings of ego…

must surely be, 

the stuff of divinities craving;

Just who the hell…

do we think you are?

And I scratch my zipper scar,

from two heart attacks ago,

and try to wake my poet’s soul.

Knowing life wasn’t meant to be,

about dodging bullets through the trees;

like a starving child that sees a peach

that pays a price, 

for a desperate reach!

And the Russians scratch, 

messages on their missiles

“za deti” (For the Children!)

And my chest aches… 

deeper than a heart attack.

And I know,

that Russian’s brush stroke…

came from a place,

that believed their foes,

crucified Russian children…

on those streets;

But didn’t they realize, 

with just a bit of paint

they became… 

what they, 

disdained?

And the apostles, 

got their missile strike;

But it’s their hands, 

that they,

have stained.

© 2022 Robert Trakofler

Author's Note

Robert · Za Deti

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I can only sigh, honestly! I hate that the world is throwing good money after bad, helping the Ukrainians but only half way. They give half an inch when a mile is needed. The courage of the Ukrainians is unmatched. I wish our so-called political "leaders" had half the courage. Your words resound, and I feel the same pain in my heart as well.

[Robert Trakofler]

The neighborhood I live in, in Pittsburgh has a large Ukrainian population a lot of them came here to work in the steel mills and coal mines in western Pennsylvania. They are very earnest, hard-working, and loyal people because of the local population and the churches here a lot of refugees have come to this area and I am always struck by their courage and determination it no longer surprises me that they have held Russia back on there own and I am sure if the rest of the world would keep helping them that they will win I just wish their children didn't have to suffer so much what they are doing to the people of that country is nothing less than barbarous

[Ken Simm.]

I am at a loss. I am saddened imeasurealy and I am angry beyond measure with the world is at the moment.
I couldn't write about it. I rarely think about it and when I do it is the cowards way.
There is a wasp that lays its eggs in the young of another animal and when the eggs hatch they consume their host. And there is merciful God?
Thank you for having the courage I don't.

[Robert Trakofler]

It wasn't easy for me to write this, my friend. The neighborhood where I live in Pittsburgh has a big Ukrainian population that came here originally during the steel boom. Now a new generation of immigrants is moving here escaping from the conflict and displaced by those missile strikes! many of them came to live with relatives that are here many of them are the wives of soldiers that sent their children and loved ones to safety. those are the ones with the courage and all I can think about is all of the children that have lost their lives in the name of greed and the ones of whom survived but lost all sense of childhood and it breaks my heart

[William Michael Reeves]

Your poem made me think, especially the thought about writing messages on the missiles, about what drives men in a group to follow evil. As individuals would we have the same drive to do what needs to be forgiven? I also found myself thinking about Orwellian societies. Even in our western culture of soundbytes and news cycles are we really getting Newspeak? So hard to wrap my mind around the motivation of the destruction of Ukraine. I'm glad we are helping, but honestly think it's time to put an end to it with direct involvement, as scary as that is.

[Robert Trakofler]

I honestly believe that Russia will never recover from this war. but if they did... they would just keep going straight into Poland they have as much as said so at this point. but the cost of their folly isn't just amongst the 400 thousand killed so far it is to the children and mothers that have had to live thru these atrocities they are the ones that will pay the ultimate price for this war it breaks my heart

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Knowing life wasn’t meant to be,
about dodging bullets through the trees;
like a starving child that sees a peach
that pays a price,
for a desperate reach!”
Your perfect voice and words, your diatribe, your outrage for the state the world is in, present the undeniable, heinous truth. In a season that venerates one child born, so many children are being killed. How can this be? “Za Deti”?….Really?…
“Father forgive them,
for they know not what they do!”…” But they do, inconceivably, they do. Yes, they paint themselves guilty as you clearly show. You are the Truthsayer.
I feel your poem deeply my friend, and hope, and hope, and hope…for an end to this war in Ukraine…for the children to be able to reach again, and live. Until then, we drown in their mothers’ tears.

[Carola]

a powerful poem robert, i read it along with your poem vocals.

i just wish Putin would get his karma retribution tenfold.
i just heard on our radio this morning that Putin was sitting down and talking to the Russian mothers whose sons died in HIS war, saying he feels their pain!!! ......what about the Ukrainian mothers?
what an arsehole.

have a great weekend.
cheerio carola

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Carola, This is going to be a long hard winter for those Ukrainian mothers. The resolve of their people is nothing short of miraculous. I truly hope that they persevere and the end to this senseless bloodshed comes before it can escalate into more conflict. But oh how I pray for those children

[Ayesha]

Hello Robert. I am late in reading this, yet it does not fail to create aches without heart attacks. This also reminds me of an equally brilliant piece by Shane Koyczan.

6:59 AM

I’ve been told
that people in the army
do more by 7:00 am
than I do
in an entire day

but if I wake
at 6:59 am
and turn to you
to trace the outline of your lips
with mine
I will have done enough
and killed no one
in the process.

[Robert Trakofler]

Thank you, Ayesha:) I do believe this is one of the most poetic responses to a poem I have ever recieved:)

[Neville]

this is even more awesome than awesome Robert .. this scribbler is in awe & then some & no kiddin .. much respect to you bro.

Neville

[AYVID N]

Acts of hate color everyone the same. We become the very perpetrators we detest. Who do we think we are...? You raise a poignant question here. Perhaps, we are an aberration of creation, an anomaly of evolution, self destructive, our guns trained against ourselves.
Once again, your words are replete with the compassion and pain that you never cease to feel for all those suffering. It's such a joy to read you today, dear Bunny. I hope you're very fine now.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Robert... should we have Hope? As long as there are Children that need a Retreat... we will Sacrifice and manage as best we can. All the Brilliance in the minds of Men cannot compare to a Summers Day in May.
Will Nature heal our Greed that becomes the reason for the season. In the beginning there was Light. Now we only Fight for another Day. Amen

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Patricia your review could be a poem in and of itself:) We are all victims of misdirection victims of the "slant" non of us are impervious and as hard as I try I know what I know is never the whole truth... but some truths are greater than others my dear as you so aptly put

[John the Baptist]

Za deti. They became what they disdained. Whether it's Russian soldiers or young American gunmen, a lot of misdirected violence is the result of projection. Those who do the unthinkable are unconsciously lashing out against something they can't accept within themselves. Ukraine or Uvalde, it's all the same. Well done, Bunny.