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

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You could be a professional reader...you bring words alive to their fullest potential.

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you, brother Jacob I got into the habit of recording because I have some friends and an uncle that are dyslexic and another friend that is blind and I wanted to share the writing with them:) but if you knew how many times I have to record myself to get it right you would probably change your mind LOL

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This poem made me cry.
Children, women, families destroyed for what?
a show of power, of dominance?
I would like to play kick the can with Vladimer's head.
He must be Vlad the Impalers twin brother born centuries later.
powerful write, brother bunny.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

What a powerful message in this poem. Written with such impactful truth and jarring resonance in this world we live in today. Where the value of life means little to those that don't see humanity in the eyes of what they precieve to be their enemy. Even if it's a child. Thank you for sharing this vital piece of poetry Robert. It's what we as a world need to hear.

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you, Carlos (that is my son in laws name:) I mention this because he is also the father of two of my grandchildren. That image of the message cut me deeply it took me many weeks to finish this poem.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Powerful art makes you feel the emotions in each word, lyric, or brush stroke. Your poem is an example of that power that is innately inherent within art. I was moved by your words. Thank you Robert for sharing them and the hard truth which define them.