Day 22: 29 November 2025

Reflection 
Poem -- We Stand Together

Two months ago, my neighbourhood -- the one I lived in when I lived in Ukraine -- was attacked. Buildings destroyed. Piles of rubble everywhere. My building stood, but it was surreal to see the buildings torn apart or gone that had been part of my windows' view before.

Today, the school where I worked suffered as a result of drones/missiles. The building itself wasn’t hit but an open area between the school and the front gate. Many of the windows overlooking the front of the school and the courtyard were destroyed. The front door was destroyed. There was a large divot where the ground was hit, dirt sprayed everywhere and what looks like some shrapnel embedded in the walls.

It breaks my heart what has happened and continues to happen. This war.

Below is a poem I wrote back in March 2022 but it still holds true today:

With the people

watching missiles fall

watching their homes fall —

We stand together.

With the parents and children

huddled in metro stations

as the air raid sirens wail —

We stand together.

With the teachers

using basements

as classrooms —

We stand together.

With the men

standing strong, who are staying behind

and picking up arms to defend —

We stand together.

With the women

standing strong, ready to defend

their homes and land —

We stand together.

With the villagers

bringing food and milk to lines

of people waiting at border crossings —

We stand together.

With those who’ve stayed

and those who’ve left

whose hearts break with this conflict —

We stand together.

With those all around the globe

marching with their signs

calling with their voices, “STOP!” —

We stand together.

As the candles burn and the prayers arise

As the buildings burn and the cries arise

As lives are lost and mourns arise —

We stand together.