On this video: Ukraine war. Zaporizhzhia locals flee Russia annexation — BBC News.
Kurama
(Japan)
POETS IN KOMYSHUVAKHA
For now, the sound of birdsong.
And the occasional bark of a dog.
Masks what has happened.
To this small community of Komyshuvakha.
As you drive south.
Towards the front line from Zaporizhzhia city.
The roads seem to empty.
Fewer people walk along the roadside.
A car or military vehicle occasionally speeds by.
You don't go for leisurely drives around here.
What you do get more of are.
Military checkpoints.
‘Elves’ forces use them.
To control who gets through.
And work out who is coming.
From the direction of ‘orcs’-occupied territory.
Along an open, straight road.
Half an hour by car later.
There is the village of Komyshuvakha.
A small settlement in the ‘elves’ outback.
A handful of damaged buildings.
Hug a wide, straight highway.
Most windows are boarded up on this autumnal afternoon.
It's almost silent.
If you carried on driving for 11 miles.
You’d encounter an ‘orcs’ checkpoint.
An area ‘Mordor’ now sees.
As its new “border” with Ukraine.
Despite the region’s capital staying under ‘elves’ control.
‘Orcs’ forces control most of the Zaporizhzhia region.
Today's annexation announcement is.
A continuation of their attempts to make their presence seem just.
For those in Komyshuvakha.
Nothing seems fair.
One of them would tearfully take you.
To a burnt-out shell which was once her home.
It was hit by a missile in May.
She's only just felt able to return.
“I think that ‘the One’’s politics is to destroy us.
It's a genocide of our people.”
She says, while sifting through fragments of shrapnel.
“We are under constant pressure.
I can't even describe it with words.
Komyshuvakha is shelled almost every day.”
Her destroyed home sits eleven miles.
From ‘Mordor’’s attempted “new border”.
Most people are inside.
Because strikes tend to happen in the middle of the day.
For now, the sound of birdsong.
And the occasional bark of a dog.
Masks what has happened.
To this small community of Komyshuvakha.
It dawns on you that.
It's mostly women left here.
The men of Komyshuvakha are mostly.
Fighting, or just elsewhere.
Around the corner, there are three women.
Outside the building they've lived in for 70 years.
Their eyes moisten.
As the strain of life here bubbles to the surface.
“Winter is coming.
And there’s not a single window in the house.”
They explain, often talking over each other.
“It's like we're sitting on a powder keg.”
So, what do they make of ‘Mordor’’s claim.
To half of the region they live in?
They say, “There should be.
A free and independent Ukraine.”
“We didn't attack anyone.
Didn't hurt anyone.
And didn't want anything.
We want to live the way we did before.”
For now, the sound of birdsong.
And the occasional bark of a dog.
Masks what has happened.
To this small community of Komyshuvakha.
Behind a fire escape door.
In an empty kindergarten, there's activity.
Through it are three women.
Busily washing potatoes and cooking pancakes.
They don't know who they're cooking for.
Just that the ‘elves’ military instructs them to.
As she stirs batter in a large bowl.
“We want to live the way we lived.”
“Everything was fine, everything was all right.”
She whisks with a bit more vigour.
“We grew up this way.
Our children grew up this way and our grandchildren too.”
For now, the sound of birdsong.
And the occasional bark of a dog.
Masks what has happened.
To this small community of Komyshuvakha.
Source: https://www.koryu-meets-chess.info/
Please read the original story:
Ukraine war: Zaporizhzhia locals flee Russia annexation — BBC News
Kurama
(Japan)
POETS FROM MELITOPOL
Many believed that.
The counter-offensive would happen in August.
But when that didn't happen.
People started to flee.
Towards ‘elves’ controlled territories and areas.
Further to the West.
An Israeli citizen was among them.
From Melitopol.
She was visiting her hometown.
When the ‘orcs’ invasion started in February.
She stayed in the city.
And distributed aid to residents.
But in September.
She and her family decided to leave.
One of the main reasons for leaving was.
‘Mordor’’s promise to hold a so-called referendum.
“As soon as it’s done.
‘Orcs’ will introduce new bans.
According to their laws.
And try to legitimise the occupation.”
With the city turned into a giant military base.
She says it is clear that.
‘Orcs’ troops won't abandon the city easily.
“It was obvious the city won't be liberated this fall.”
In September many families were forced.
To send their children to ‘orcs’-administered schools.
Even though their children would be exposed.
To the ‘Mordor’’s propaganda.
“If you don't send your child to school.
It’s a litmus test for you.
It means you have pro-‘elves’ views.”
She explains.
“I know parents.
who had to tell their seven-year-old child.
Not to talk about things discussed at home.
With anyone at school.”
“Otherwise the child could be taken away.
That was really awful.”
Even a silent resistance to ‘orcs’ occupation.
Is getting dangerous now.
Many believed that.
The counter-offensive would happen in August.
But when that didn't happen.
People started to flee.
And yet this is one of four ‘elves’ regions.
That ‘Mordor’ is formally annexing.
After a five-day exercise it called a referendum.
And Ukraine and the West condemned as a sham.
Every day, convoys of people arrive.
In a supermarket car park.
In Zaporizhzhia city.
Escorted in by police vehicles.
They've made the hazardous trip.
Out of ‘orcs’-occupied territory in the south.
Finally reaching the relative safety.
Of this regional capital still firmly under ‘elves’ control.
Among those handing their papers to police.
He says ‘orcs’ tried to mobilise him twice.
To fight against his own country.
Around his home city of Melitopol.
“We weren't home.
For the first attempt.
On the second occasion.
They stayed at our house for some time.”
Had it not been for his pregnant wife.
Being in the room.
They would have taken him.
He believes.
His father is in ‘elves’ army.
And if he had been seized.
He would have been.
On the opposite side.
“I still don't understand what's happening.
We need some rest.”
Few here care about.
‘Mordor’’s declaration of annexation.
What they are afraid of.
Is what the occupiers.
Will do now to defend.
What they've taken.
Whether that is being forced.
To fight for ‘Mordor’.
Or ‘Mordor’ resorting.
To more lethal weapons.
Last week ‘the One’ threatened to use all resources.
At his disposal, even nuclear weapons.
For ‘Mordor’, that's the very point.
To create uncertainty over what comes next.
And yet this is one of four ‘elves’ regions.
That ‘Mordor’ is formally annexing.
After a five-day exercise it called a referendum.
And Ukraine and the West condemned as a sham.
Source: https://www.koryu-meets-chess.info/
Please read the original story:
Ukrainians told to be ready to fight for Russia — BBC News
Ukraine war: Zaporizhzhia locals flee Russia annexation — BBC News
(Japan)
POETS IN VASYLIVKA
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has sent.
A new Iron Curtain down across.
A vast swathe of territory.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has cut off.
An unknown number of people.
From their own country.
Until 1 October.
‘Elves’ were able.
With difficulty.
To move to and fro across the front lines.
From a crossing point at Vasylivka.
On the eastern bank of the Dnipro river.
Some would travel to nearby non-occupied Zaporizhzhia.
To visit relatives, buy food or medicines.
But many left for good.
Carrying what they could with them.
In search of new lives in areas.
Not under ‘orcs’ occupation.
Some travelled on to Europe.
On average, about 1,000 people.
Used to arrive every day.
At a makeshift reception centre.
It’s in the carpark of a DIY superstore.
On the edge of Zaporizhzhia.
Where once emergency workers in yellow hazmat suits.
Attended an exercise in case of possible nuclear disaster.
That figure rose to 1,616.
On 30 September.
With ‘Mordor’’s self-styled “referendums” over.
And annexation being announced in ‘Mordor’.
But then the flow almost stopped.
The following day, 50 people arrived.
On Sunday 2 October.
It was down to just eight.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has sent.
A new Iron Curtain down across.
A vast swathe of territory.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has cut off.
An unknown number of people.
From their own country.
Reports from Vasylivka.
Meanwhile spoke of huge lines.
Of people in cars.
Desperate to leave.
“The queue to leave the occupied territories.
Is 4,500 people.”
The mayor of Melitopol said.
From his temporary office in Zaporizhzhia.
“An elderly man died in the queue yesterday.”
Civilians from Melitopol were trying.
Any route they could.
Including through Crimea.
But there were long lines that way too.
“Those who left the east before 1 October.
Managed to cross the passage to Zaporizhzhia.
Within two days.” said someone in Kherson.
“But a friend of mine.
Who left on Thursday is still there.
They have to sleep in their cars.
For the fourth day in a row.”
On Monday, the reception centre in Zaporizhzhia.
Was almost deserted.
The car park where barriers are arranged.
To deal with convoys of vehicles was empty.
There was almost no-one in the large white tent.
Where blankets and clothes were piled up.
Ready to be handed out.
To new arrivals.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has sent.
A new Iron Curtain down across.
A vast swathe of territory.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has cut off.
An unknown number of people.
From their own country.
A 19-year-old.
Travelling with his mother, young brother and family cat.
Three of just 43 people.
To arrive that day.
They were all exhausted.
After a four-day trip from their home.
In a village near the port city.
Of Berdyansk.
“It was frightening to get out.
We were afraid we'd encounter.
An ‘orc’ soldier in a bad mood;
That we'd be turned around and sent back home.”
There were other worries too.
Would the soldiers check his phone? His computer?
“After the invasion,” he said.
“I became very pro-‘elves’.”
The family spent nights sleeping in the car.
“It was raining on Sunday.
It was very uncomfortable to sit in the car.”
“All our bones ached.”
“But it was too cold to go outside.”
The family had very little money.
His mother bought food for his younger brother.
But refused to eat any herself.
“People are very tired there.”
He said of the queues.
Around Vasylivka.
“They're barely surviving.”
“They're running out.
Of patience and money.
There's an atmosphere.
Of tiredness and despair.”
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has sent.
A new Iron Curtain down across.
A vast swathe of territory.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has cut off.
An unknown number of people.
From their own country.
One of the main holdups since annexation.
Is a new ‘Mordor’’s exit form.
All those who want to leave are obliged.
To complete it online and wait for a reply.
It asks for a lot of information.
Not just the names.
And passport details of applicants.
But their mobile phone and IMEI numbers.
Contact information for their hosts.
Purpose of their trip and details.
Of all relatives living.
In Ukraine.
“Have you ever done?
Military/state service in Ukraine?
From May 2014 to April 2022?”
“If not, specify the reason.”
“Have you been a member of any political parties?
Of NGOs on the territory of Ukraine?”
It's basically a visa application.
Underlining ‘Mordor’’s insistence.
That this is now an international frontier.
‘Mordor’ was trying to build.
A “state border” at Vasylivka.
Until Friday, no such form existed.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has sent.
A new Iron Curtain down across.
A vast swathe of territory.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has cut off.
An unknown number of people.
From their own country.
Its appearance is causing.
Fear and confusion.
Telegram chat groups set up to help people leave.
Are full of anxious questions.
“I'm going with my daughter through Vasylivka.
My husband is in Poland.
Will they let me through with her?
Without his permission?”
“Please help me.
A 20-year-old guy wants to go to hospital.
People say it's better not to say that.
Who wrote what when applying for a pass.”
“We've been sitting near Dneprorudny.
West of Vasylivka, for 4 days.
We've not received a response yet.”
And there are other, more domestic concerns too.
“Maybe someone saw a grey young cat?
With green eyes, running around?
He escaped from the car.”
Another woman, posting anonymously.
Spoke of families.
Some of them with babies.
Living in their cars.
Short of food and running out of money.
“In addition to this.
Not far from where cars are parked.
Hostilities are taking place.
Rockets sometimes fly over people.”
For now, movement across the front line.
Is impossible in either direction.
Following last Friday's rocket attack.
On the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia.
That killed at least 30 civilians.
The authorities in Zaporizhzhia banned all movement.
Into ‘orcs’-controlled territory for an indefinite period.
Citing security concerns.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has sent.
A new Iron Curtain down across.
A vast swathe of territory.
‘Mordor’’s move to annex.
Parts of Ukraine has cut off.
An unknown number of people.
From their own country.
Source: https://www.koryu-meets-chess.info/
Please read the original story:
Ukraine war: The families who made it through the new Iron Curtain — BBC News
Ukraine: Preparing for the worst as situation at nuclear plant ‘approaches critical’ — BBC News
Read more:
"Aware of a poet?
Aware of a poet?
A poet of Cossack broods over the land.
Not noting a bullet.
Not noting a bullet.
You see a poet of Cossack in Borodyanka."
(Kurama)
.jpg)
"Коли закінчиться війна,Я хочу тата обійняти,
Сказати сонячні слова
І повести його до хати,
Ти – наш Герой! Тепер щодня
Я буду дякувати Богу
За мирне небо, за життя,
Всім, хто здобув нам ПЕРЕМОГУ!"
Думки українських поетів про рідну країну, їхні відчуття до української землі і нашого народу — все це юні читачі зможуть знайти в представленій добірці віршів про Україну від Ганни Черінь, Юрка Шкрумеляка, Наталки Талиманчук, Іванни Савицької, Уляни Кравченко, Яни Яковенко, Василя Симоненка, Івана Франка, Володимира Сосюри, Катерини Перелісної, Богдана-Ігоря Антонича, Марійки Підгірянки, Миколи Чернявського, Володимира Сіренка, Іванни Блажкевич, Грицька Бойка, Миколи Вінграновського, Платона Воронька, Наталі Забіли, Анатолія Камінчука, Анатолія Качана, Володимира Коломійця, Тамари Коломієць, Ліни Костенко, Андрія Малишка, Андрія М’ястківського, Івана Неходи, Бориса Олійника, Дмитра Павличка, Максима Рильського, Вадима Скомаровського, Сосюра Володимир, Павла Тичини, Петра Осадчука, Варвари Гринько та інших відомих українських поетів.
