She Walked

She walked the shores
of this unknown land
held the dried flower
tight in her small hand

A reminder of her home
so very far away
a place she quietly prayed
she could return to one day

She sat, and she thought
of all those she had lost
fighting back hatred
as she knew its high cost

The pain lingered on
as she sat still on the grass
she stared at the water
waiting for anguish to pass

She prayed to her God
the forgiver of all
and begged Him for strength
as tears began to fall

It wasn’t His fault
she knew that was true
the dark enemy was at large
leaving a filthy residue

The soldiers had affirmed
angels fighting by their side
missiles disappearing
or sometimes flying wide

There were no words among them
as they went from place to place
the pain was too intent
sorrow written on their face

The images firmly burned
in the retina of her mind
of the horrors she had seen
made her wish that she was blind

The memories that she carried
were all that she had left
of those who had loved her dearly
which now made her bereft

A fluttering in her stomach
reminded her life would still go on
though it would be so much harder
with everyone else now dead and gone

Very slowly, she stood up
with the rising of the new dawn
a hand across her belly
she vowed always to carry on

She walked away from the water
leaving teardrops in the sand
promising her unborn child
to build a life in this new land

It didn’t matter where they lived
or where else she would roam
it wouldn’t be the same
Ukraine would always be her home

© Leslie C Dobson

If you liked this poem, you can find additional ones on the poetry page of Leslie’s website.