Russian Soldiers in Ukraine

April 18, 2022 at 8:59 a.m.

Sunflowers for Ukraine

...by Ariele M. Huff

“Russian Soldiers in Ukraine”

I’m horrified, of course.
Agonized, terrified.
But hatred will not come.

They too march to die.
Some believe the lie.
Husbands, fathers, brothers—
all are sons, all have mothers.

Some enjoy torture and killing,
but many are afraid, less willing…
must get caught sometimes feeling.

Unexpected, a golden spark—
moments of compassion in the dark
must happen too…
a child moved aside,
a cup of water, a loaf of bread,
a house ignored, an order unsaid,
a door left open, a hand extended,
a horror implied but not intended…
hearts meet, “enemies” friended.

These are easier images to keep,
easier thoughts to help us sleep…
and, truly a part of humanity that runs deep.
Ariele M. Huff

Please join me in the Unity Poetry Challenge

I’m pulling together a new book called Unity Poetry and hoping you’ll contribute to it.
I’d love to have you share my Unity Poetry Challenge with other writers, too.
Submit your non-divisive poems to Ariele M. Huff at ariele@comcast.net. I am author of several anthology books of writing and poetry under the brand of Candy Bar Books. I've solicited poetry for and edited Northwest Prime Times Poetry Corner for over twenty years and written Writing Corner for 22 years.
If a poem is selected for the book, the poet will get a free eBook version that they can share with family and friends.
I do edit most poems I receive for Poetry Corner (rarely I only use excerpts) and will certainly do those as needed for Unity Poetry.
Please send poems that address non-divisiveness in any groups—male/female, black/white, Democrat/Republican, city/rural, chocolate lovers/those who like other candies, etc. Extra points for submitting a list of types of divisions. The most important rule for inclusion in the book is that no negatives about either side are in the poem. Feel free to send limericks, haikus, tankas, free verse, classic rhyming, prose poetry, Sestina, Villanelle, English or Italian Sonnets, Cinquain, Quatrain, Spoken Word, even sagas or epics though really lengthy poems will have a harder time winning a position in the book.
FYI—some of the selected poems will also be used in the website segment (Sharing Stories) that I host for Northwest Prime Time.
Position in the eBook and in Sharing Stories is a nice opportunity to have published poetry for a portfolio and to help other people get through this time with more comfort and hope.
Send poetry to ariele@comcast.net. Submissions will be copyrighted in the anthology.
Another example of a unifying, non-divisive poem follows, re-written from a published original.

Parties
“Everything’s-for-Sale” sale.
Ten-dollar local antique—so frail.
Newcomer leaving for a “safer, redder” place…
wants to leave without a trace.
Old lady Dem and young bearded GOP,
we talked and laughed without a stop.
He carried my new/old treasure,
his kindness a touching pleasure.
Sad to see you go, departing friend,
but thanks for sharing at the end.
Ariele Huff

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).
SHARING STORIES is featured on www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.