by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Envision Peace on Earth

Christmas Tree, Dnipro, Ukraine. Photo by Valentyn Cherretskyi from UnSplash.

Envision Peace on Earth

Tears are falling still.

Destruction and death drag on.

Love of country remains

in the hearts of the people

who fight and die for Ukraine.

Photo by Sebbi Strauch from UnSplash.

Brave Ukrainians

work, endure, celebrate life,

smile, laugh, play, sing, dance!

They light the candles of hope,

envisioning peace on earth.

A protest in Japan. Photo by Breakify from UnSplash.

Our war-weary world

remembers; Sovreignity

defended world-wide

preserves the rights and freedoms

deeply cherished by ourselves.

Protest in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Dea Andreea from UnSplash.

Dictators may rise,

seizing control over nations,

ending human rights.

Tyrants may try to dominate…

even your country or mine.

Ukrainian flag flying in Norway. Photo by Anastasiia Dudnyk from UnSplash.

The world remembers,

“Eternal vigilance is

the price of freedom.”

Ukraine, you are not alone.

We share your vision of peace.

Children’s paintings on display in Prague, Czechia. Photo byYura Khomitskyi from UnSplash.

Protest at the White House in Washington, DC. Photo by Gayatri Malhotra from UnSplash. Demonstrations in support of Ukraine have been held in cities and towns across the USA.

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.“

This famous saying seems particularly applicapable in our times. In various forms, it became popular in the early days of the United States of America. Variations are attributed to many people, including Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. It is thought to have originated from an earlier quote. “The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.” John Philpott Curran, Dublin, Ireland, 1790

Bumper Sticker in Seoul, South Korea. Photo by Lenny Honn from UnSplash.

Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia

Additional Photos

The photos in this post show some of the many countries that support Ukraine.

I wish I could show all of them!

Poland has sheltered huge numbers of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. A demonstration in Poland. Photo by Eugene T Kachenko

Protesters in Lithuania. Photo by Dovile Ramoskaite from UnSplash.

Calgary, Canada. Photo by Ahmed Zalabany from UnSplash.

Photo by Ahmed Zalabany from UnSplash.

St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia. Russian citizens have suffered as a result of the war against Ukraine. Protests in Russia have been suppressed, and many protesters have been arrested, jailed, or have disappeared. Large numbers of young Russian men have fled the draft into neighboring countries.

A Demonstration in France. Photo by Cedric VT from UnSplash.

London. Photo by Ehimetalor Akere Unuabona from UnSplash.

A protest against atrocities comitted against Ukrainian civilians. London, England. Photo by Andreea De Santis from UnSplash.

Zimbabwe. Girl supporting Ukraine. Photo by Ben Masora from UnSplash.

Vienna, Austria. Photo by Tetiana Shyshkina from UnSplash.

In peacetime, Ukraine supplies food to many countries. There are food shortages in some countries due to the war. Ukrainian wheat field. Photo by Polina Rytova from UnSplash.

54 Comments

    1. Mousumi, thank you for your kind response! ❤ ❤ ❤

      My wonderful next-door neighbors are from Ukraine. They suffered a lot of worries while her mother was still living in Kyiv. Thankfully, she is here now. My two younger children are adopted from Russia. I empathize with the common people of both countries. Both of them are experiencing great hardship from this senseless and brutal war. May it soon end!

      Like

      Reply

  9. I salute you, Cheryl, for this touching poem. My heart goes out to Ukrainian people, who have been suffering for more than ten months at the hands of tormentors. War makes no one a winner. Let the better sense prevail. Thank you for raising this vital issue. Happy New Year to you and your family!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, Eugi. I am happy that you enjoyed the post. Ukraine has suffered so much. I hope peace comes soon.

      Our neighbors are from Ukraine and have five children. They also took in a girl from Ukraine. They are hardworking and wonderful neighbors. She speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Her mother made it safely out of Kyiv and lives nearby. I took a copy of this post to her.

      Wishing you and your loved ones a very wonderful 2023! ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. Well thought out photo essay and poem, Cheryl. The Ukrainians are a diligent and strong role model for those of us in the free world…may we find such fortitude when/if the time comes for us to defend democracy & human rights in such a way on our own turf.
    Happy 2023.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I couldn’t agree with you more, Laura. I also greatly admire the Ukrainian people! Our next-door neighbors are a young family with five children. They are very kind, wonderful neighbors and work very hard. I hope Americans could rise to a challenge the way Ukrainians have. Happy 2023 to you and your family!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. Thanks for sharing this wonderful poem and all of your photos that say a million words Cheryl.
    They are so resilient amidst all of the destruction and pain. My heart is with them as well. I wrote another piece recently as well. Many blessings my friend! 💞🙏🏼

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Cindy, for your kind words. Hope this senseless war ends soon. So much suffering by the common people on both sides! Heartbreaking! How do you justify bombing crowds of civilians and families celebrating Christmas around the Kyiv Christmas tree?

      I know you feel it too and are writing to keep these issues in focus. ❤ I think we must be mindful and continue to support Ukraine as long as it takes. Then there will be the challenge of rebuilding…

      All the best to you and your family! ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. A great reminder for the new year, Cheryl. Peace and Sovereignty should be our goal for 2023. It is so sad to see the war drag on, but very hopeful to see the Ukrainian people standing as one against Russia’s aggression.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Thank you for this vision, this hope. There’s a quote from Martin Luther King about how those who love peace must organize as well (or better than) those who love war. We must continue to pray and work for peace.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. True, Cheryl. On one hand we talk of global warming, and on the other, we carry on endless war, sending tons of carbon into the air every single day. And, like you said, all the resources wasted…it’s terrible.

        Liked by 1 person

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