Beyond every crisis, are quiet deeds hidden
A profusion of wars, many motives misgiven
For power and prominence
Subversive dominance
Covert, clandestine, classified, forbidden
…

The golden grain glistens, under deep blue sky
Symbolised in the flags, that they proudly fly
Shimmering fields
Of record yields
That ravenous nations, would normally buy
…

When once a young man, I slung on my rucksack
To explore the world, now it’s time to look back
I still remember the war zones
And their bone chilling grave stones
From Gallipoli, Normandy, to the Kokoda Track
…

I’m thinking of my Russian friends from a long time ago
And of this Ukraine war, what atrocities do they know
Rostaslav and Gennady
Georgy and Anatoly
I once worked with them all, deep in downtown Moscow
…

A letter to all you courageous Ukrainians
Families terrorised with missiles raining in
On our television screens
You’re being blown to smithereens
Our hearts go out from all us Australians
…

Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
You’ve stood up to Putin’s brutal campaign
You’ve inspired your people
To stare down his evil
You’ve fronted your country while missiles rain
…

Dear Vladimir, your cronies, and wealthy oligarchs
Stop bombing Ukraine, and tearing its people apart
Your military might 
Will not win the fight
For sovereignty over their minds and hearts
…