Continued respect for Ukraine

My poem

In fields once golden with wheat and rye,
now thunder clouds darken the eastern sky.
Yet sunflowers¹ still reach towards the high,
as brave hearts refuse to bend or shy.
From Carpathians² to Crimea’s³ seaside nigh,
a nation united, with liberty’s cry.

O Ukraino, our neighbor so dear,
your struggle we witness with hope and fear.
Your resilience shines, a beacon clear,
as you fight for freedom, year by year.
We Poles stand with you, our support sincere,
your cause is just, your courage we revere.

Pierogi and borscht⁴, cultures intertwined,
our shared history, forever enshrined.
Though borders may shift, hearts stay aligned,
your fight for sovereignty, deeply ensigned.
We send our prayers, with hope combined,
that peace may flourish, leave war behind.

The spirit of Kozaks⁵ lives in your veins,
defiant against oppression’s chains.
Through hardships and countless pains,
your people endure, as strength remains.
From Kyiv’s hills to Donbas⁶ plains,
Ukraine stands firm, as freedom reigns.

Kurwa mać!⁷ We curse the invader’s might,
but applaud your valor in this relentless fight.
From Wrocław to Lublin, we burn lights bright,
on solidarity with your darkest night.
May ancestral strength guide your righteous plight,
and bring you victory, restoring your birthright.

In fields of wheat and sunflower gold,
a nation’s story is being told,
of resilience and courage bold,
of a people who refuse to be controlled.
Ukraine, your legacy will be extolled,
in annals of history, forever scrolled.

Sto lat⁸, Ukraino! May you thrive and grow,
like the mighty Wisła⁹, may your freedom flow.
Through trials and tribulations, high and low,
your indomitable spirit continues to glow.
Na zdrowie¹⁰ to your future, come what may show.
Niech żyje Ukraina!¹¹ Let the whole world know!

Footnotes

1. Sunflowers: A national symbol of Ukraine, representing peace and the country’s agricultural richness. ↩︎
2. Carpathians: A mountain range spanning several Central and Eastern European countries, including parts of Poland and Ukraine. ↩︎
3. Crimea: A peninsula on the Black Sea, part of Ukraine but currently occupied by Russia. ↩︎
4. Pierogi and borscht: These are traditional dishes shared by Polish and Ukrainian cuisines. Pierogi are dumplings filled with various ingredients, while borscht is a sour soup made primarily from beets. Their mention symbolizes the shared cultural heritage between Poland and Ukraine. ↩︎
5. Kozaks (Cossacks): These were frontier warriors who played a significant role in Ukrainian history and culture. They’re often associated with freedom, independence, and martial skill. ↩︎
6. Donbas: A region in eastern Ukraine, partly currently occupied by Russia. ↩︎
7. “Kurwa mać”: A strong Polish expletive, used here to express frustration with the invasion. ↩︎
8. “Sto lat”: Literally means “100 years” in Polish. It’s a traditional wish for long life and prosperity, often sung at celebrations. ↩︎
9. Wisła (Vistula): The longest river in Poland, used here as a metaphor for enduring strength and continuity. ↩︎
10. “Na zdrowie”: A Polish toast meaning “to your health.” ↩︎
11. “Niech żyje Ukraina”: This means “Long live Ukraine” in Polish. ↩︎