Poetry | Ukraine

A Letter to the Children of Ukraine

Every one of you is a sunflower of hope

Image assembled by writer in Canva using original sunflower artwork by the writer’s grandson

To the dear children of Ukraine,
each and every one of you
a sunflower of hope-filled yellow
against an expanse of war-torn blues
You sprout from the seed of your ancestors
nourished by their blood in the soil
You grow and prosper against the odds
forever turning your faces to the light
Your childlike innocence musters courage,
gives purpose and spirit to defend what’s rightly yours
You are destined to inherit your homeland pastures
ne’er evil gain foothold and prevail
Sunflowers, my dear ones, you are bold bearers of faith
stand tall, stand together, be proud
reach for the arc of heaven above
for it is yours in its abundant glory
Children of Ukraine, be blessed
peace be yours forevermore.

© Carolyn Hastings 2022