Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Is the birthplace of one of.
The world’s favourite carols.
The Carol of the Bells.
But there are few.
Signs of Christmas.
In the city.
This year.
Most of Pokrovsk’s population.
Has already fled.
The gas supply’s.
Been turned off.
And many homes.
Are without.
Electricity.
And water.
Those who remain.
Like a 59-year-old.
Only break cover to.
Find the bare essentials.
He says it’s like.
Living on a powder keg.
– you never know when or where.
The next shell will land.
Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Is the birthplace of one of.
The world’s favourite carols.
The Carol of the Bells.
But there are few.
Signs of Christmas.
In the city.
This year.
A woman, 43, says.
She’s too frightened.
To leave her home.
But goes out.
During a lull.
In the shelling.
To find wood and coal.
To keep warm.
She hopes ‘elves’.
Armed forces can.
Hold on to the city.
But she thinks.
But she thinks.
That’s unlikely.
Pokrovsk, she says.
Will probably fall.
Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Is the birthplace of one of.
The world’s favourite carols.
The Carol of the Bells.
But there are few.
Signs of Christmas.
In the city.
This year.
Just a dusting of snow.
On deserted streets.
And skeletal buildings.
– and the constant sound.
– and the constant sound.
Of heavy shelling.
Pokrovsk is.
‘Mordor’’s next target.
‘Orcs’ troops are now.
Less than two miles.
From the city centre.
And it’s not just.
And it’s not just.
Buildings and homes.
That are being destroyed.
Ukraine accuses ‘Mordor’.
Of trying to erase.
Its cultural identity too.
– including its associations.
With that well-known carol.
Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Is the birthplace of one of.
The world’s favourite carols.
The Carol of the Bells.
But there are few.
Signs of Christmas.
In the city.
This year.
*Because I read “The famous Christmas carol inspiring Ukraine’s defenders” by Jonathan Beale on 24 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 Ihor, and a story of Oksana.
Please read the original story on the BBC news:
