One Man's War - Sue Cowing

[Lawrence Robinson]

One Man's War
 
I don’t mean the unprovoked invader who alone
caused the destruction, the suffering, the terror 
in Ukraine,  whose long-term aim is to create
not just a throwback empire, but a world
where culture and truth, sovereignty and freedom,
become forgotten dreams. A world
where only power has a voice.
A world not governed but controlled
by a ruthless handful—himself, of course,
becoming European Czar.
Not him.
 
I mean the man whose battle must be won.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the almost accidental
President of Ukraine, who with just five words
awakened a divided and disillusioned world,
a world becoming accustomed to seeing evil
have its way with little consequence, 
believing nothing could--or would—be done. 
This comedian, this actor some had said was only playing
at being President, this movie-voice of Paddington Bear,
when urged to leave the country for his safety, turned the tide
and recreated courage for us with his answer:
“I don’t need a ride.”
That one.

	- Sue Cowing
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