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Valentina Gnup

Song for Ukraine


Kyiv trembles like an old man

clutching his cane but insisting he walk.

A child presses against a chain link fence

searching for his lost mother.

Five men carry a marble sculpture of Jesus

to hide in a bunker, stone palms outstretched,

a hole in the center of each one.

A man plays piano for refugees,

each note clear as glass.


Each note clear as glass,

a man plays piano for refugees,

a hole in the center of each one.

To hide in a bunker, stone palms outstretched,

five men carry a marble sculpture of Jesus

searching for his lost mother.

A child presses against a chain link fence

clutching his cane but insisting he walk.

Kyiv trembles like an old man.





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