I sat for a little while in a side chapel dedicated to the people of Ukraine in Chester Cathedral and wrote this (loose) villanelle.
God bless the peoples of Ukraine
In their greatest hours of need
May He give strength to ease their pain.
And thus he presses this insane
War on those who will not cede
God bless the peoples of Ukraine
As from the skies cruel Death doth rain
And childrens’ bodies break and bleed
May God give strength to ease their pain.
And history will mark like Cain
Putin, Russia and its seed
God bless the peoples of Ukraine
For never shall be cleansed this stain
With propaganda of this deed
May He give strength to ease their pain.
I lit a candle for the slain
And prayed that Peace will come with speed
God bless the peoples of Ukraine
May He give strength to ease their pain.
