The Universal Responsibility

Embassy of Ukraine to the United States, Georgetown, Washington DC. (Credit: Author)

Ukraine remains unbroken 
when faced with the impossible task
Of an existential struggle against a superior foe.
The weight of the free world rests upon Ukraine’s shoulders,
A burden they bear without buckling,
Standing as the bulwark against the forces of oppression.

There are countless Ukrainian heroes of this war,
Celebrated and lauded for their Herculean efforts.
There are so many more whose names may be lost to history.
Their deeds are being witnessed.
Their bravery will be remembered.
Their sacrifices will be honored.

Mother Russia is bleeding and frightened,
So certain their only recourse is for others to suffer as well.
Perhaps it was vain hope that their suffering would end that of others.
They are victims even as they continue victimizing others,
And Ukraine is forced to withstand without failure.

Too many university degrees with names now carved on headstones,
Children too intimately acquainted with too much bloodshed and violence,
Too few of them able to come home
After defending their homeland.
Or serving as fodder for a bloodthirsty despot’s dreams of conquest.
Sons and daughters are equal in the slaughter.

World peace will not be created by this war’s only acceptable conclusion,
But this is a reminder that the world is so much smaller than it used to be.
Freedom at home is threatened when freedom abroad is threatened.
Since Ukraine is bearing this cross for the rest of us,
It is our solemn duty to help them hold it up,
Whatever the cost may be.

The duty of the free nations of the world is to safeguard freedom,
When given the chance to alleviate the suffering, all efforts must be taken
to show tyrants that they will never be allowed to win.