A letter from the 20th century
On the 22nd of June in 1941
The Great Patriotic War in my Motherland had begun.
It was Sunday early morning,
the country peacefully slept,
but a horrible idea Hitler had kept.
Without announcing the war he had given order
to bomb the Soviet Republics border.
Hitler planned to capture the country
by unexpected military actions.
He was sure to occupy the country
and turn into slaves the nations.
But his plans failed
and his wailing voice was deadened
by the voice of Levitan,
the Russian radio announcer
who reported about the war.
Then everyone swore
to defend our Motherland
and stand up to the end, hand in hand.
Hitler didn’t understand
that Soviets were not the gangland or the analysand.
He forgot that he was the aggressor
and the people of my country were the defenders.
He had to know the mentality of Russians,
Ukrainians, Georgians, Armenians…..
and more than 100 other nationalities.
Their destinies were not to be the slaves,
they would rather die
and sleep in the graves.
Hitler had to know the native soul
which would never live on someones dole.
That horrible war lasted almost 4 years.
They were the years of fears, hunger and grief.
The war was a thief.
It took away millions of lives,
but those who survived
would never forget the war.
And more: they’ve become even stronger than before.
Therefore, many questions still remain:
What for? Why? Where is the truth? Where is the lie?
Who will deny the war?
Are we on the right shore?
Should we think a bit more
so as to create a world of love and peace?
Why do some people only think how to seize?
Why don’t they give?
Why don’t they share?
Why is the truth very rare?
There are so many questions to ask.
But… I give you one task:
Answer my questions, please!
Give me the keys!
Let me feel at my ease!
If you are a man, a human being,
I hope you understand this.
The 22nd of June 2010 -
The day of the growing Moon,
The day of memory in the 21st century,
The testamentary day from the 20th century,
The day not to forget the fascist felony,
To remember the heroes
who didn’t want to live in helotry.
All over the world
the obelisks as the souls
are tearing themselves away from the land
telling us to withstand the war
and walk together hand in hand.
Larisa Rzhepishevska (Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Ballad about the soldier
This story is about the soldier, an ordinary guy
who wanted to live, didn't want to die.
He was a good friend, his classmates said,
the things he did were not a regret.
He lived and dreamed, breathed the same air with us,
he was so much naive and it was his plus.
He was the guy of ready sympathy and brave
just and ordinary guy who would never liked to be a slave.
Nobody could deny that he was a bit of a hesitating guy
as he couldn't make his girlfriend a declaration of love,
to tell her that she was his darling dove.
He didn't want to kill or be killed, just hated the war
but he's got an order and had to go for the war
without even knowing what for.
He was told that he would save the land
and military service was a big grand.
He was not explained why should he kill,
he went to the war against his will.
But he was the servant of his country, had to obey the orders
and wear the soldiers straps on his shoulders.
Have you seen the eyes of his mother when they were to part?
She had an embarrassed look when the parting had a start.
Have you seen the eyes of his girlfriend?
They were the eyes of a frightened creature.
She felt as he would never again reach her.
Have you seen the guy's eyes?
They had a look as he was in a hook.
He didn't want to part with his family, friends, beloved,
he wanted to live, love and be loved.
In a foreign strange land he walked
had no time to sleep or talk.
He walked and walked through the stormy winds
through the hard rains without any complaints.
He walked through the mud and blood
as he had to obey the orders and remember
he was not a cub and had no time for a cud.
But... all of a sudden everything around became dark,
his body felt a terrible pang
and it seemed to him as the bell rang.
Then the pain disappeared and he saw a beautiful park
with birds and angels, they sang beautiful song,
Then he heard the voice of a gong.
Yes, he went to another world were everything was pearled.
With the loss of one soldier nothing has changed,
But.... Is it really so? For his mother he was the world
and it was strange that she wouldn't be able to see him,
to hear his voice, and if she had a choice
she would give anything for his knock at the door
and his voice telling: Don't worry, dear mum!
I am in a hurry now, but I'll come back soon before the rising Moon.
The soldier's heart stopped beating far away from home
in the place with unfamiliar name.
Now tell me! Who is to blame that his photo is in the black frame?
He was one in the stream of soldiers,
the stream of broken destinies and lives,
the stream of unappeasable human sorrow
which made in the souls a deep furrow.
The war happened to be a thief
which had stolen lives or made them a big grief.
Life is going on; we live, we love, we work
building new bridges that were destroyed by war
but if we want to build a happy life
we have to remember that soldier who was killed in the war.
We have to understand: war can only ruin and break
for someones crazy sake.
It ruins and kills not only humans bodies
but destroys our wonderful land,
little by little turning it into the sand.
We have to remember that soldier
if we don't want the war to repeat,
we have to remember those losses
if we want our land to be complete.
We don't have to forget those who experienced the war,
they still give a start hearing a thunderstorm
thinking it was another bomb.
We have to realize that even one soldier is a part of the world
and the loss of that soldier means a split
in the integrity of the whole world.
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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The Victory Day
The 8th -9th of May – the Greatest Day,
the Saint Holiday – the Victory Day.
A holiday with glee and spree,
a holiday with tears that appear
remembering those soldiers,
the heroes of the Second World War.
Those hardcore days
we don’t want to face anymore.
That was the largest war
in the history of mankind,
I don’t want you to be blind
but to know and remember the facts:
almost 58 million of men were lost.
Wasn’t it the highest cost?
62 countries out of 73
fought against fascist regime
in one international team.
More than 80% of the Earth population
were involved in military operation,
covering the territories of 40 countries,
bringing only grief, hunger, sufferings and worries.
I looked at the pictures of those young guys,
those heroes of the Second World War
and tried to realize who they were before.
It’s difficult to guess but I would like to suggest:
among them was someone’s son
who had never seen a gun,
someone’s first student or a teacher,
someone’s darling, friend or a preacher.
They had laid down in the fields of fights
struggling for freedom and human rights.
They had given their lives for you and me,
for everyone to be free and live happily,
for the grass to be green,
for the sky to be blue and clean.
Someone in ancient times once said:
“If you want peace be ready for the war.”
These words are not for today.
Yes, we shout “Hurray! ”
But if we want peace
we have to do everything for love to increase
But not use military force
which is only the source of sufferings and the losses
with so many costs.
Yes, we celebrate this day and shout “Hurray”, say “Cheers”
wishing everyone live in lasting peace,
not to know a war decease.
We remember the most impressive celebration
when two nations: American and Russian soldiers
met on the banks of the Elbe and could finally see
the end of that horrible war.
With admiration and joyfully they embraced one another
as if they were old friends or even brothers.
So, today, on the 8th of May I would like to say:
Peoples of our planet Earth!
Remember! We are the part of the whole Universe.
Take care of our Land!
Everyone has to understand:
if you want peace
You have to do everything for love to increase.
Larisa R (Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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A Voice In the Wildness
I hate and I love.
How much I hunger
For the days when I was younger,
for the days when I was really free,
for the days when I was a real me.
And what is happening now?
Has the world turned upside down?
I do not say any more “Wow! ”
Nothing surprises me.
I can only realize
this horrible situation
with discomfort and even frustration.
Am I on another stage?
Is it connected with my age?
I don’t think so.
I can see today the youth
who can’t find the truth.
Isn’t it strange that
having two higher educations
I am on the edge of starvation?
Isn’t it strange that
having worked all my life
I have to think how to survive?
No one cares about my life,
no one worries if I should live or die.
I hate those unfair rules
which were proclaimed for the fools.
I love my motherland,
but the life here I can’t withstand.
I forgot the word “hurray”.
That was another day.
My future is unpredictable as weather.
I am like a feather
don’t know where to fly.
It seems all is a lie.
I don’t know where this time the wind will blow.
Where is my spirits flow?
I don’t know how to live,
I don’t know whom to believe.
The world has greatly changed.
For someone it’s not strange.
It’s only strange that I am still alive
but have to think how to survive.
Who will tell me what to do?
Should I be true with those who cheat,
with those who treat
me and others as a toy?
They are very much annoyed
to listen to the truth,
but they are not confused
to rob, to demand,
to occupy my motherland.
They even use God’s name
as a cover for their crimes.
They do not hear the church bells chimes,
they only hear their own voice,
leaving the majority with no choice.
My voice is crying in the wildness.
Forgetting about gladness
I have to know sadness,
to learn the rules of a new dirty game.
Isn’t it the biggest shame?
I have no more strength to fight
but only to wait for the light
at the end of that tunnel,
in other words: for my funeral.
Where is the way out?
I have no strength to shout.
It looks as there is only one: to pray,
to calm my soul for another stay.
©Larisa Rzhepishevska
December 2nd,2010
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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Oh, God! Give me the strength....
Oh, God! Give me the strength to forgive
Even when I was not forgiven,
No one to humiliate or to offend
Even when I was humiliated or offended
Give me the wisdom to be always fair,
Teach me to fly and not to be scared,
Not to be indifferent to the neighbors,
But to live and create for world's favors.
If I doubt to ask my heart for advice
As my heart never tells me lies.
If I'm wrong to apologize,
Insult and hurt not memorize.
Seven words I'd like here to say,
They help me to greet each day,
They help to love and live,
They help me to believe,
They help my pain to relieve,
For me they are the main:
TO UNDERSTAND and TO ACCEPT,
TO THANK, TO LOVE and TO FORGIVE,
TO LEARN and TO BELIEVE.
©Larisa Rzhepishevska (Odessa, Ukraine)
The 18th of June,2012
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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The real heroes
Bearing the rage of elements
Far from their loved ones
Exposing their lives to danger
Yet remain firm and dedicated
To the safety of the country
They are real heroes who wake up in the night
When we are in the bed
They toil at the border
When we enjoy with our family
They also have families and friends
They also pine for them
But country is a priority for them
They forget everything for the sake of the country
They live for the country
And they die for the country
They are not among them who never miss
A single chance to earn money
And yet called heroes
These so called heroes put the honour
Of the country at stake
But our soldiers put their live at stake
To save the country from embarrassment
They are the pillars of the country.
poem by Mohammad Akmal Nazir
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Hitler at 75
So Hitler came to power
75 years ago today
so what of it, really?
new Hitlers turn up every day
only with smaller armies
and rather less publicity
Maybe there's a Hitler out there
somewhere close to you
get ready to defend your life -
your personal World War Two
poem by Frank Bana
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I was opposed to World War II, and indeed on June 22, 1941 when Hitler invaded the Soviet Union I suddenly found myself the lone supporter of peace since everybody else had, because of their communist beliefs, shifted over to become supporters of the war.
quote by Douglass North
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Whose Country Is This?
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of snakes;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of many waters;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of thieves! !
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of people;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of oil;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of earthquakes!
Whose country is this?
it is a land full of lovers;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of volcanoes!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of beautiful flowers;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of hansome men;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of beautiful women;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of roses;
Whose country is this?
it is a land ruled only by men;
Whose country is this?
It is a land without rainfall;
Whose country is this?
It is a land ruled by a woman;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of corruption!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of pirates! !
Whose country is this?
It is a land ruled by law;
Whose country is this?
It is a land controlled by rebels!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of ice;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of pregnant women;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of singers;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of troubles;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of war! !
Whose country is this?
It is a land with the biggest cemetery in the wolrd!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of desert;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of trees;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of pregnant teenagers!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of timber;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of hatred;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of love;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of care;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of peace;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of smokers!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of businesses;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of harlots;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of wise people;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of idiots!
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of gold;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of cocoa;
Whose country is this?
It is a alnd full of crabs;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of evil;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of rainfalls;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of ants;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of horses;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of pigs;
Whose country is this?
It is a land full of statues;
Whose country is this?
it is a land full of birds;
And so on, and so forth!
Because nature had made them so as we see them around us,
But the wise and fool live together on this earth.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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The stars connects the human hearts...
The stars connect the humans’ hearts,
their destinies are in the skies.
The Earths’ world is filled with sparks,
the souls light reflects in eyes.
And if an anger is in your heart,
the stars become so pale in soul.
The whole world becomes an art
when love and peace are as a whole.
Stars shine brightly with no fears,
even when it is crazy fall in August.
They fall on the Earth with angel tears
when saint feelings are turned to dust.
Our destiny gives a choice:
to live in harmony or wonder in the darkness.
So, please, my dears, listen to its voice!
You’ll come for sure to its brightness.
Larisa R (Odessa, Ukraine)
22/9 2010
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Give To Live
Give to live
Oooh--i can see that youve got fire in your eyes and pain inside your heart so
Many things have come and torn your world apart oh baby, baby, baby, dont give
Up, dont give up dont give up if you want love if you want love, youve got
To give a little if you want love if you want faith, you just believe a little
If you want love if you want peace, turn your cheek a little ohhh, youve got
To give youve got to give youve got to give.....to live an empty hand
Reaching out for someone an empty heart takes so little to fill its so much
Easier to push instead of pull oh baby, baby, baby dont give up, dont give
Up, dont give up if you want love if you want love, youve got to give a
Little if you want love if you want faith, you just believe a little if you
Want love if you want peace, turn your cheek a little ohhh, youve got to give
Youve got to give youve got to give....to live each mans a country in his
Own right oh, every body needs a friend one friend, one god, one country no man
Need defend I be
Lieve in fate and destination but so much of that lies in our own hands if you
Know what you want, just go on out and get it oh baby, baby dont give up,
Dont give up yeah, yeah if you want love if you want love, youve got to give
A little if you want love if you want faith, you just believe a little if you
Want love if you want peace, turn your cheek a little you want love youve got
To give if you want love give to live youve got to give to live give to live
Give to live if you want love if you want love if you want love youve got to
Give youve got to give youve got to give
song performed by by Van Halen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Come Away
(g.bowser/j.jupp)
Published by chappell & co., ltd. - capac
As I walk along the lonely streets
I cant talk to the people that I meet
I see them come, and I see them go
I see them smile, and say hello
Come with me and take my hand
Ooh, fly away to another land, oh yes we will
Come with me and take my hand
Well fly away to another land
Come over here little girl
And Ill show you another world
Where we can be free to do as we want
Live our lives as we please, and say what we like, oh
Come with me and take my hand, ooh
Well fly away to another land
Come with me and take my hand, oh
And fly away to another land
Theres so many things that remain to be done
And no one has thought of a way to begin
So follow me into my life
Come with me and take my hand (and take...)
Fly away to another land (fly away to another land)
Come with me and take my hand (ooh)
Fly away to another land (fly away to another land)
Come with me and take my hand (take my hand)
Fly away to another land (oh yes we will)
Come with me and take my hand (and take my hand, take my hand)
Fly away to another land (yeah)
Come with me and take my hand
Fly away to another land
Come with me and take my hand
Fly away to another land
song performed by by April Wine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dear Motherland Of France
DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF FRANCE
Our Motherland, dear Motherland,
The source of beauty and of Art,
Who but thy children understand
The love which permeates each heart!
We see, through rainbow-tints of tears,
Thy glory of a thousand years.
O country of the Great and Free,
We live for thee, we live for thee,
Dear Motherland of France.
O Motherland, both blithe and brave,
What magic lies in thy name-France!
Yet can thy radiant mien be grave,
And stern thy ever-smiling glance.
And when thy sons and daughters know
That enemies would lay thee low
And dim thy fame on land and sea,
We fight for thee, we fight for thee,
Dear Motherland of France.
Dear Motherland of joy and mirth,
Dear Motherland of faith divine,
A thousand years the wondering earth
Has seen thy star in splendour shine.
Still shall it see that star of France
Its splendour and its light enhance.
Dear Motherland, when it need be
We die for thee, we die for thee,
Dear Motherland of France.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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Do You Believe Me?
Do you believe me?
I do.
Give me your hand, we’ll fly.
I’ll help you, I do not lie.
Wait! We are not in a hurry!
And… I am afraid.
Don’t worry! I am your aide.
I am scared. Hold me tight
And never let me go!
I’ll be forever with you,
You have to know.
Do you love me?
Be honest!
I do. I am the maddest
And would like to tell you the truth:
From my very early youth
I was afraid to fly.
May be because I was too shy?
But you inspire confidence in me.
Now I can see,
Together we can do anything.
I love you too and it’s true.
Now look! I am flying.
With the birds I am vying.
©Larisa Rzhepishevska (Odessa, Ukraine)
The 11th of September,2011
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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You Tell Me Of Your Australian History
You tell me of your Australian history your ancestors were British and Irish pioneers
But your history in this Land is not an old history just two centuries and twenty years
And in time that may seem quite a long span though the combined life spans of three people nothing more
Your ancestors hardly were Aussies they came here from a distant shore.
The first Australians have lived in this Country for longer than most care to know
Their ancestors came here from Asia more than sixty thousand years ago
They are indigenous to this Country all others have links to elsewhere
Yet they still struggle for recognition and that to me seems quite unfair.
Dispossessed by the Northern invaders they never did get back their Land
And that they are now ruled by white people I find that hard to understand
You talk of the history of this Land as if it were only two hundred years old
But then suppose the history of the ancient Dreamtime by white people will never be told.
I was not even born in this Country which makes you more Aussie than I
And though I'm not Nationalistic or Patriotic my heritage I won''t deny
You talk of your pioneering ancestors but why talk of Human history at all
If the history of the first Australians you do not see fit to recall.
You tell me of your pioneering ancestors but one fact you tend to ignore
That they were not born in this Country they came here from a foreign shore
You''d swear by you the Human history of this Land was only two centuries old
But the true history of this great Country by your type will never be told
poem by Francis Duggan
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How much we would love to say....
How much we would like to say.
How little we say in reality.
How often we are afraid
And hide our souls in vanity.
How seldom we speak with each other
Because we are always in a hurry.
We make just a short breather
Thinking of our own worries.
How little we give the warmth
To those who badly need it,
Thinking of our own life storms
Write a short chit and forget it.
Wouldn’t it be better
To look at each others faces,
To ask questions that matter
And not to live as on the races.
Wouldn’t it be better for all
To see each others souls,
To break the indifferent wall
And make it the main goal.
Wouldn’t it be better if we start to speak
And tell the things we wanted to tell,
But we are still so tired and weak
And hide our souls in our own shells.
Larisa Rzhepishevska (Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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Free Gifts Of Love
There will be times
when the few
or the many
will come
to try to take
from us
but we will give
more than these lost souls
try to take
we will give
free gifts of love
it will be God
God will bless us
in this life
or the next
God will bless us
but never forget
God is always with us
God’s blessings
are always upon us
it is not for us
to understand
the blessings
grace of God
but questions
these God
requires of us
to answer questions
questions of life’s choices
to freely choose
to walk with God
throughout eternity
poem by Terence George Craddock
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My Life Experience
The more I live the more I am surprised.
There are still a lot of things to be realized.
The life flows like a river on the land,
The more I know the less I understand.
The more I give the less I get,
But my life style is: Never regret!
The time flies, it will never come back,
But the hopes still live with no lack.
Some people say: The less you know-the better.
But I think it’s not a laughing matter.
If you don’t know how to live now,
Don’t lose your courage!
In the best of my knowledge,
Speak out loud
And I am sure you’ll find the way out.
And I am sure you’ll be understood
As there are so many people
And most of them are so good.
Larisa R (Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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Always Asking Questions
We all want peace we dont want misery
So many of us wont let us be these things
But we only are confused
We feel stronger as we grow older
But still we feel bemused
Always asking questions
Were always asking questions
And the temptation is to just step back
Well we give what we lack
We will always be asking questions
Why rich?
Why poor?
Always asking questions
Were always asking questions
Why this?
Why that?
Were always asking questions
Why this?
Why that?
Always asking
Dont stop asking
Dont stop asking questions
Always asking questions
In answer to this question is just shut up
You dont know
I dont know
Nobody knows
This is an answer to every question
This is a place to begin
Always asking questions
Always asking questions
Why this?
Why that?
Why this?
Why that?
Always asking questions
(why this why that? )
Always asking questions
(why this why that? )
Always asking questions
(why this why that? )
Words: william bryant
Music: howard jones
song performed by by Howard Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The 1st of May
The 1st of May,
It’s a Solidarity Day.
I will not shout “Hurray”
But would like to say
For all peoples and nations
Join together! Live in peace!
In America and Greece,
In Iraq and Iran,
In India and Pakistan,
In China and Hong Kong
And so on and so on.
The history of this day is very significant one:
The workers of Chicago
Went on demonstration
For their rights.
They didn’t want any fights.
Today in my country
The 1st of May is a holiday.
We do not shout “Hurray”
As there is nothing to demonstrate.
But we love and celebrate this day
As it personify humanity and peace,
Beauty of our nature
And life as a wonderful adventure.
Larisa R (Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
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On Patriotism (An acrostic)
You love your motherland –
One, where you were born and nurtured in
Unknown ways, most miraculously.
Love your Motherland with heart and soul;
Only your own country is the safest for you;
View its landscape, gorgeous and beautiful;
Every fellowman is your brethren.
You must be proud of its rich heritage;
One shouldn’t forget how freedom was got;
Unite against forces that separate;
Repay your country’s love by sacrifice.
May be, your country is not very rich;
Only its culture is so remarkable;
Traditions must be followed with pride;
Honor your national flag;
Every citizen is duty-bound;
Religions shouldn’t serve to foment fights;
Love the soil that feeds you all through life;
Astound the world by your patriotism;
Nothing’s more sacred and valuable than your Motherland;
Die, if need be, for your country’s sake!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 8-29-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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