Brave acts brave histories make
of men and women, and nations
united untidily, unrepentantly
but bravely.
Too seldom we see such as this
in nations guided by bliss
following trade’s path
toward profit and math.
Adding up cash into power is not bad.
What one does with such power can be
if labor and neighbor are pushed into slavery
because leaders lack bravery.
Ukraine is but a symptom of harm
long passed on to the poor and powerless
in whatever nation they reside.
We need more bravery and fairness
and less cowardice
before we move on
to tomorrow’s news.