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.

 

 

*Because I read “Ukrainians told to be ready to fight for Russia” by Abdujalil Abdurasulov on 29 Sep 2022, “Ukraine war: Zaporizhzhia locals flee Russia annexation” by James Waterhouse on 30 Sep 2022, and also “Why are Ukrainians calling Russians ‘orcs’?” by James FitzGerald on 30 Apr 2022, on the BBC news.
So, I wrote this poem as a story of Tatyana and a story of Anton.
Please read the original stories on the BBC news:

Ukrainians told to be ready to fight for Russia – BBC News

Ukraine war: Zaporizhzhia locals flee Russia annexation – BBC News

 

 

**My friend shows you this poem and another my poem together about the same resource on the BBC news also on the Ukrainian website for their children and others!

Kurama (Japan). Two poems about life in Zaporizhzhia region during the russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – Мала Сторінка (storinka.org)

Please join them!