POETS AT GUNPOINT

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

On Independence Day.

On that Wednesday.

An extensive fire burning.

In the immediate vicinity of the ‘Ring’ in Zaporizhzhia.

 

On Knowledge Day.

On that Thursday.

“We are not going anywhere.

‘The Fellowship’ is now there, at the ‘Ring’.”

 

A letter signed by dozens of employees.

At the ‘Ring’ on 18 Aug.

Called on the international community.

To stop and think:

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

One of ‘the Fellowship of the Ring’.

Earlier called for.

Fighting near the ‘Ring’ to stop.

In a strongly-worded statement:

 

“It’s time to stop playing with fire.

And instead take concrete measures.

To protect this ‘Ring’ and others like it.

From military operations.”

 

“The slightest miscalculation.

Could trigger devastation.

That we will regret.

For decades.”

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

 

The ‘Ring’ lies on the southern bank.

Of the River Dnieper.

Across the water from ‘elves’-held towns.

And military positions.

 

Ukraine’s biggest ‘Ring’.

And Europe’s biggest ‘Ring’.

Has come under repeated fire.

Since occupied by ‘orcs’ at the start of the war.

 

She has worked at the ‘Ring’.

For many years.

“My working day is a constant stress.”

“I can’t work like I used to.”

 

“The last week.

I haven’t even been able to.

Come to my workplace.

It’s dangerous.”

 

“On Saturday.

There was shelling.

Of the nitrogen-oxygen station.

Which caused a fire.”

 

“By some miracle.

The people working there survived.”

The picture is murky.

But the risks are crystal clear.

 

She says shells have been landing.

Close to it every day.

“The psychological situation is difficult.”

“Soldiers are walking everywhere with weapons.”

 

“And everyone is actually kept.

At gunpoint.”

‘Mordor’ is accused of basing.

About 500 soldiers there.

 

She is in no doubt.

It’s being used as a base.

“Every day they drive back and forth.

In their military vehicles.”

 

“They positioned their military equipment.

Right at the station buildings.

To make it impossible.

For ‘elves’ armed forces to strike.”

 

Another worker says:

“The staff are now hostages of ‘orcs’.”

“They turned off the internet.

Left only landline phones.”

 

“And food is available.

Only in one single dining room.

They turned the others.

Into their bases.”

 

“Access to all roofs is prohibited.

‘Orcs’ made their observation points there.

The training building also became.

Their barracks.”

 

“Now, more and more often.

Staff are kidnapped.

Just when leaving the shift.

At the security gate.”

 

Those two workers also describe.

Rubbish being left everywhere by ‘orcs’.

But they say staff are still able to.

Monitor the reactor properly.

 

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

On Independence Day.

On that Wednesday.

An extensive fire burning.

In the immediate vicinity of the ‘Ring’ in Zaporizhzhia.

 

On the next day.

Of that Wednesday.

Europe was “one step away”.

From a radiation disaster.

 

The ‘Ring’ was briefly disconnected.

From Ukraine’s power grid.

And back-up generators kicked in.

To supply it with power.

 

‘Gandalf the Green’ said.

Fires had damaged the overhead power lines.

Cutting the ‘Ring’ off.

For the first time in its history.

 

The mayor of Energodar.

Claimed on the same day.

That the city had no power.

Or water at all.

 

And there were also reports.

Of power cuts.

In the ‘orcs’-occupied cities.

Of Melitopol and Kherson.

 

“Almost every day.

There is a new incident.

At or near the ‘Ring’ in Zaporizhzhia.

We can’t afford to lose any more time.”

 

A team’s head said.

Repeating his call.

To lead an international mission.

To the ‘Ring’ in the next few days.

 

At the heart of this crisis are.

The ‘Ring’’s original staff.

Working under ‘orcs’ occupation.

And under a great deal of stress.

 

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

On Knowledge Day.

On that Thursday.

“We are not going anywhere.

‘The Fellowship’ is now there, at the ‘Ring’.”

 

‘Mordor’ said up to 60.

‘Elves’ “saboteurs” were killed.

Who attempted to recapture the ‘Ring’.

By crossing the river on that Thursday morning.

 

The gravest risks would come.

As the convoy of armoured vehicles crossed.

The cratered fields of the “grey zone”.

Where neither side’s military has control.

 

“Weighing up the pros and cons.

And having come so far.

We are not stopping.”

After weeks of trying, he led a team.

 

He also wanted to “speak candidly”.

With staff who have described being kept at gunpoint.

And seeing colleagues kidnapped.

On an almost daily basis.

 

He wanted to establish.

What it is like for them to work there.

How much freedom they have.

And what exactly are the stress levels they are dealing with.

 

After fresh shelling.

Waiting for the situation to become safer.

The convoy stopped at an ‘elves’ checkpoint.

Around 20km from the front line.

 

Armoured cars made their way to the ‘Ring’.

They were delayed for three hours.

It was one of the most difficult missions.

In the history of ‘the Fellowship’.

 

“We must protect the safety and security.

Of Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest ‘Ring’.”

An hour before the team’s arrival.

Shell-fire was heard in Energodar.

 

He led a team to the ‘Ring’ in Zaporizhzhia.

Where ‘elves’ staff have worked.

In highly challenging conditions.

For almost six months.

 

Shelling continued.

While the 14-strong team visited the ‘Ring’.

He warned of a very real risk.

Of nuclear disaster.

 

The team was “able to put together.

A lot of information”.

“The key things I needed to see I saw.

And the explanations were very clear.”

 

The team spent a few hours.

At the ‘Ring’ in Zaporizhzhia.

After a long and tense journey.

Then four of the nine vehicles left the ‘Ring’.

 

Although most of the team left the ‘Ring’.

After two days.

Two of its officials would remain there.

On a permanent basis.

 

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

On Knowledge Day.

On that Thursday.

“We are not going anywhere.

‘The Fellowship’ is now there, at the ‘Ring’.”

 

‘The Fellowship’’s report.

On Tuesday.

Highlighted the “extremely stressful conditions”.

Facing the 907 ‘elves’ staff working there.

 

It said the depleted staff.

Should be entitled.

To family support.

And an appropriate work environment.

 

It said its presence at the ‘Ring’ was.

A “game-changer”.

As it had received fast and reliable information.

About the latest development.

 

It added, saying all relevant parties.

Would have to agree to.

A “nuclear safety and security protection zone”.

Being set up to avoid further damage.

 

An emergency meeting was held.

Among ‘the Fellowship of the Ring’.

After the publication of Tuesday’s report.

To discuss the situation in Zaporizhzhia.

 

“As a first step.

‘Orcs’ and ‘elves’ forces must commit.

Not to engage in any military activity.

Towards the ‘Ring’ or from the ‘Ring’”.

 

‘The Fellowship’ have recommended that.

A security zone be set up immediately.

To shield the ‘Ring’ from the fighting.

Shelling must end immediately.

 

‘Gandalf the Green’ said.

He would support the safety zone.

If it aimed to demilitarize.

The territory of the ‘Ring’.

 

‘Gandalf the Green’ said.

The report noted.

The presence of ‘orcs’ military hardware.

On the territory of the ‘Ring’.

 

And the report referred.

To pressure on employee.

Alongside “clear references.

To ‘orcs’ military occupation”.

 

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

On Knowledge Day.

On that Thursday.

“We are not going anywhere.

‘The Fellowship’ is now there, at the ‘Ring’.”

 

‘The Fellowship’’s report.

On Tuesday.

Highlighted the “extremely stressful conditions”.

Facing the 907 ‘elves’ staff working there.

 

10 days later.

On Friday.

He had learnt from his staff.

Who are still at the ‘Ring’.

 

A “serious situation” had developed overnight.

Power to the city of Energodar.

Home to most of the ‘Ring’ operators and their families.

Had been “destroyed by shelling”.

 

This has led to.

A “complete power blackout in Energodar:

No running water.

No power, no sewage”.

 

“Given the increased.

And continued shelling.

There is little likelihood.

Of re-establishing reliable offsite power.”

 

The “increasingly dire circumstances”.

In Energodar.

Could also impact essential staffing.

At the ‘Ring’ in Zaporizhzhia.

 

On Saturday.

On the next day.

Monitoring the situation.

His staff at the ‘Ring’ learnt.

 

One of the four main external power lines.

Damaged by shelling had been repaired.

Allowing electricity to be received directly.

From the national grid once again.

 

On Sunday night.

A rocket landed.

300m from nuclear reactors.

At the Ukraine’s second-largest ‘Ring’ in Mykolaiv region.

 

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

On Independence Day.

On that Wednesday.

An extensive fire burning.

In the immediate vicinity of the ‘Ring’ in Zaporizhzhia.

 

On Knowledge Day.

On that Thursday.

“We are not going anywhere.

‘The Fellowship’ is now there, at the ‘Ring’.”

 

A letter signed by dozens of employees.

At the ‘Ring’ on 18 Aug.

Called on the international community.

To stop and think:

 

“We can professionally.

Control the ‘Ring’.

But we are helpless in the face.

Of people’s irresponsibility and madness.”

 

 

*Because I read a part of the articles about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on the BBC News as follows, and also “Why are Ukrainians calling Russians ‘orcs’?” by James FitzGerald on 30 April 2022, on the BBC news.

Meanwhile, it was really great pleasure for me that Mariko Gelman, a wonderful Ukrainian artist (please look at the photo of this page), contacted me by email.
And on 13 Aug 2022 I met her in Yokohama in Japan where the ‘Moyai exhibition(もやい展)’ ( Top:もやい.next もやい展 横浜市民ギャラリーあざみ野 アートフォーラムあざみ野 福島 チェルノブイリ 3.11 東日本大震災 中筋純 原発事故 (suzyj1966.wixsite.com) )was presented by some artists related to Fukushima featuring Mariko.

So, I wrote this poem.
Please read the original articles on the BBC news:

Deadly Donetsk blasts hit separatist-run city in Ukraine – BBC News

Ukraine war: Power back on at huge nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia – BBC News

Ukraine round-up: Eastern advance and Crimea claim – BBC News

Ukraine war: UN says blackout threatens Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – BBC News

Ukraine round-up: Eastern advance and Crimea claim – BBC News

Zaporizhzhia: Ukraine suggests UN peacekeepers for nuclear plant – BBC News

Ukraine backs UN call for nuclear plant safe zone – BBC News

Ukraine round-up: UN nuclear safety call and Russia ‘gets North Korean arms’ – BBC News

Zaporizhzhia: UN nuclear agency calls for Ukraine plant safety zone – BBC News

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: Link lost to main power line – BBC News

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: UN experts make first inspection – BBC News

Ukraine nuclear plant: How risky is stand-off over Zaporizhzhia? – BBC News

As it happened: UN inspectors view Russian-held nuclear plant – BBC News

Ukraine war news: Russia accused of shelling as nuclear team heads to Zaporizhzhia – BBC News

Ukraine war: UN team leaves for Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – BBC News

Russia blocks nuclear treaty agreement over Ukraine reference – BBC News

Zaporizhzhia: World narrowly avoided radiation accident – Zelensky – BBC News

Ukraine war round-up: Nuclear plant off grid and Putin orders army expansion – BBC News

Ukraine war: Independence Day attacks will get powerful response – Zelensky – BBC News

Ukraine war: Ukraine cities on alert amid fear of ‘ugly’ Russia attacks – BBC News

Ukraine war: Allies seek more security at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – BBC News

Ukraine war: Russia to allow inspectors at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Putin – BBC News

Ukraine war: Putin agrees inspectors should visit Ukraine nuclear plant – BBC News

Ukraine war: Bombardments near nuclear plant a concern for all – UN chief – BBC News

Ukraine war: Russia rejects call to demilitarise Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant area – BBC News

Ukraine nuclear plant: How risky is stand-off over Zaporizhzhia? – BBC News

Ukraine: Preparing for the worst as situation at nuclear plant ‘approaches critical’ – BBC News

Ukraine war latest: Russia says Crimea blast an act of sabotage – BBC News

Ukraine war: Zelensky warns Russian soldiers at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – BBC News

Ukraine war: Zelensky warns Russian soldiers at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – BBC News

Zaporizhzhia: Russia must exit Ukraine nuclear plant, says G7 – BBC News

Zaporizhzhia nuclear workers: We’re kept at gunpoint by Russians – BBC News

 

 

**My friend shows you this poem also on the Ukrainian website for their children and others!

Kurama (Japan). «Poets at gunpoint​​» — a poem about a situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (the russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022) – Мала Сторінка (storinka.org)

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