She says that her work.
Has taught her to value life.
As never before.
And also to stop fearing death.
Once a director.
Working to halt.
The spread of HIV/Aids.
Across Ukraine.
She was abroad.
When ‘orcs’ invaded.
For a few months she ran.
A humanitarian aid hub in Poland.
Then she returned.
To Ukraine.
And founded.
Her life-changing project.
And women have played.
A key role.
And women have played.
A key role.
She wasn’t the only one.
‘Elves’ civil society.
Quickly rallied round.
Both to support the war effort.
– fundraising for.
Drones and vehicles.
Importing medical equipment.
Or clothing –
And to keep society.
Going while.
The country fought for.
Its life.
There are now other.
Private rehabilitation centres.
Ambulances and taxis that.
Help evacuate people.
From half-destroyed towns.
Food services for refugees.
And many other initiatives that.
Supplement services provided by the state.
And women have played.
A key role.
And women have played.
A key role.
“When the full-scale invasion started.
I, as a feminist.
Was very scared.
I thought that.”
“I thought that.
It’s the end of feminism.
Because war is.
A very masculine thing.”
But later on.
She realised that.
Women have taken over.
Many responsibilities.
As men have gone.
Away to fight.
As well as in some cases.
Becoming fighters too.
“I think that women proved.
To be absolutely amazing.
During this war.”
She says.
As some of her words.
Are drowned out by sirens.
– part of the soundtrack.
Of ‘elves’ new life.
“I’m really proud.
To be among.
‘Elves’ women.”
“I’m really proud.”
*Because I read “The woman helping amputees rebuild their lives in war-torn Ukraine” by Zhanna Bezpiatchuk & Anastasiya Gribanova on 10 Dec 2024, and also “Why are Ukrainians calling Russians ‘orcs’?” by James FitzGerald on 30 Apr 2022, on the BBC news.
So, I wrote this poem, including a story of Olga Rudnieva.
Please read the original story on the BBC news:
War in Ukraine: The woman turning amputees into ‘superhumans’
